Are you... intelligent? Curious? Analytical? Observant? Self-disciplined? Creative? Responsible? Able to communicate ideas effectively? If so, perhaps the field of architecture is an appropriate choice of profession for you.
Architects are professionals trained in the art and science of design. They organize the spaces in which we all live and play. As creative problem solvers, architects must balance a variety of factors in projects involving both new and existing construction. Their work may range in scale from the design of an individual room to the development of a comprehensive urban plan.
Architecture does not represent a single career path, but an entry point to many avenues of opportunity. The architecture graduate may pursue a traditional practice, providing professional services to clients in connection with the planning, design and construction of building projects. Many architects choose to specialize in a particular area of practice, management, or building type. Others oversee the planning and construction projects of a government agency, institution, or large corporation. A few elect teaching, research, or writing careers. Still others enter allied fields such as planning, engineering, construction, or graphic, industrial or interior design.
If you are interested in architecture, we recommend that you take time to explore the field before applying for admission to a professional degree program such as ours. Visit the design studios of different schools of architecture, if possible. Tour the offices of local firms and talk with local practitioners. Read books and magazines on architecture. Contact the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects; it can be an excellent source of information. Make every effort to gain a broad understanding of the demands of architectural study, the nature of an architect's work, and the values of the profession.
