
Do you want to be an architect? If so, get ready for an exciting and challenging journey toward licensing and employment. There is no written in stone path, but most who enter the profession can move along more quickly if they find a mentor who knows the industry inside and out. A competent mentor can help you avoid common mistakes and guide you through the many milestones on the road toward a full-fledged career.
In addition to taking as many math and computer classes as possible while still in high school, a college degree is a crucial component of the process. Once you have graduated and decided on a place to do an internship stint, it's essential to find an employment agency that can help you identify firms that are a good match for your particular strengths. Here are more details about each piece of the puzzle.
Find a Mentor
Ask school counselors how to find a mentor who can help you understand what to expect from an architectural career and guide you through the journey toward becoming an architecture professional. Having a mentor can save you time and money. Preferably, you want a licensed, working pro, but anyone who knows the profession will do, and that includes guidance counselors, employment agency workers, and career advisors.
Earn a College Degree
Before getting your degree, consider scholarships for college, being sure to apply for as many as you can. Fortunately, there are some that can assist you with the hunt. The main effort should focus on getting yourself matched up with grants and scholarships for which you are eligible. Free services are an ideal way to quickly search and apply only for the opportunities you have a chance of getting. Taking on this task manually and without an online service can take many hours to read through the fine print and fill out individual application forms. A competent search service automates all the drudgery so you can apply for dozens, perhaps hundreds of scholarships and grants in just a few minutes.
Take Math and Tech Courses
Today's architects must know two fields very well, namely mathematics and computer tech. The field is more math heavy than most people suspect, but the need for high-level computer skills is growing quickly. Most high schools offer an extensive menu of classes that can help you get a solid head start on a formal college degree program. Then, you'll have to complete an IDP (intern development program) before settling down with a firm and studying for licensing exams.
Use an Employment Agency to Find the Right Job
Architecture is a career that is unique in several ways. Firms tend to have their own personalities and ways of operating based on the skills and ideas of the founders. That's why it is essential for newly licensed professionals to do a thorough search before accepting employment. The most efficient way of tackling this challenge is to use an employment agency that specializes in placing architects at all career stages. Most will work with you to develop precise goals and to craft a targeted resume. Expect to pay a fee for services, even though some agencies earn their income from employers.