What can I do with this degree?
ARCHITECTURE

AREAS

RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE

• Single Family Housing
• Multiple-Unit Residential
• Tract Homes
• Senior/Assisted Living
• Remodeling/Renovations

EMPLOYERS

• Architecture firms
• Real estate developers
• Construction firms
• Individual homeowners
• Self-employed

STRATEGIES

• Description: Designing new homes or renovating existing ones for either single or multiple families.
• Gain experience in an architect's office.
• Obtain an internship while in school.
• Develop strong communication skills and patience which are important when working with individuals in designing their homes.
• Study houses and architecture styles.
• Read books and magazines about architecture.
• Develop computer skills.

COMMERCIAL/INSTITUTIONAL ARCHITECTURE

Private Industry including:

• Office buildings
• Convention centers
• Medical offices
• Health clubs
• Motels, hotels
• Restaurants
• Shopping centers
• Supermarkets
• Theaters
• Arenas.

Public/Government including:

• Schools, colleges, universities
• Government facilities
• Military facilities
• Libraries
• Hospitals
• Recreational facilities
• Churches
• Museums

EMPLOYERS

• Architecture firms
• Large corporations
• Manufacturers
• Research institutions
• Transportation companies
• Universities and colleges
• Local and state government
• Federal government agencies including:
• Department of Defense
• Department of Interior
• Department of Housing & Urban Development
• General Services Administration
• Preservation firms
• Self-employed

STRATEGIES

• Description: Designing office buildings, factories, laboratories, malls, schools and other commercial or government facilities.
• Get hands-on experience while in school. Learn the technical side of preparing construction documents; spend time in the field to understand the mechanics of construction.
• Important to understand the various jobs and processes that will take place in the buildings.
• Advanced training may be helpful if specializing in a certain typology such as historic preservation and renovation or a certain type of building such as schools or hospitals.
• Get involved in leadership roles on campus; architects may serve as project leaders coordinating the work of engineers and contractors.
• Take computer classes.
• Writing skills are necessary for advancement in firm.

EDUCATION

• Teaching
• Research
• Part-time Instruction
• Special Collections Libraries

EMPLOYERS

Colleges and universities

STRATEGIES

• Graduate degree in architecture desirable for full-time professorships.
• Professional experience and licensure in the field of architecture is beneficial.
• Develop a working knowledge in the building design or construction industry, along with knowledge of CADD, project planning, and estimating.
• Create a portfolio for faculty review.

RELATED PROFESSIONAL

• Urban Planning
• Real Estate Developing
• Contracting
• Property Assessment
• Landscape Design
• Interior Design
• Architectural Engineering
• Consulting
• Facilities Management
• Product Development/Marketing
• Law
• Insurance Liability
• Writing

EMPLOYERS

• Federal, state, local government
• Real estate firms
• Developers
• Contractors
• Self-employed
• Architecture firms
• Design firms
• Engineering firms
• Corporations
• Architecture departments
• Law firms

STRATEGIES

• Specialized training or advanced degrees may be required, i.e. master's in urban planning, degrees in landscape design, interior design, etc.
• Learn about real estate market and supply and demand in area for developing.
• A contractor's license is considered valuable for working in the design/build area of architecture.
• MBA degree may open more opportunities with business and industry.
• Many large corporations employ architects to serve as client representatives when working with architectural firms.
• Design and organizational skills are helpful.
• Earn JD for law practice.
• Hands-on-experience in architecture and construction will help prepare one for contract negotiation and litigation.
• Take courses in English and journalism.
• Develop writing skills.
• Get involved with campus publications.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• To gain entry into the field of architecture, one must receive either a Bachelor's or Master's degree from an accredited school of architecture, complete a full-time internship (three to five years) and pass a licensing examination.
• Architecture is a combination of art and science.
• Architecture involves much more than designing buildings. Talk to architects and visit their offices to learn more about the field.
• Students of architecture must be able to conceptualize and understand spatial relations and be detail-oriented. Develop creativity, analytical skills, and a sense of quality.
• Take many art and photography classes but not mechanical drawing classes.
• Oral and written communications skills are important, particularly when working with clients, construction crews or government officials. Good writing skills are valuable for developing architectural proposals.
• Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) and other computer technologies are prevalent in the field of architecture. Develop as many computer skills as possible.
• The job market for architects, especially residential, varies with changes in economy as demand is often tied to level of construction.
• One third of architects are self-employed as either partners or running their own firms.
• Most architects work in firms of fewer than five people.
• Related fields include: graphic, interior, or industrial planning, real estate development, civil engineering, and construction management.
• Some architects specialize in a particular building type. Graduate study in the field may be helpful for specializing. Other architects may specialize in a certain function of the firm such as project management or specification writing.
• Areas of specialization include: historic preservation/renovation, healthcare facilities, sports facilities, educational facilities, master planning and interior design.
• Students should design a portfolio to use when interviewing. Include freehand drawings, final drawings by hand and computer, process sketches, photos of study models and finished models, a sample of writing, and work from technical courses.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer