
Have you ever just looked around to take in the sights, specifically the architecture of where you are? Perhaps you often wonder about the history of ancient architecture. If so, then pursuing a degree in the field is the best thing for you. Becoming an architect is one of the most unique and lucrative careers you can have. However, it’s also one of the most demanding, so you really need to have your skills up to snuff. Here’s what you need to know about getting a degree in architecture.
The Price is Relatively High
Despite its diversity and wealth of things to learn, an architecture degree can be expensive. A BA can range from $50,000 to as much as $180,000. This price does, however, depend on where you go to college. In-state students generally pay less than those who are out-of-state. Either way, paying for this out of pocket can be difficult to manage. Alternatively, you can look to a student loan to help cover the costs. To reduce how much you have to pay back, a private lender is the way to go. These lenders are more convenient than a traditional one thanks to their lower interest rates. Interest rates are ultimately the reason why student loans can be difficult to pay back at times.
You Don’t Need to Be a Math Wizard
Interestingly enough, you’d think that one of the things to expect from a career in architecture is that you need to be one of the best mathematicians. However, this isn’t entirely correct. Although you do need to have some math skills, like calculus, trigonometry and geometry, an extensive education in it isn’t required. Does it improve your chances? Yes, and you should do everything you can to guarantee you get your dream career. But all you need is to have a good understanding of the basics and nothing more, per se.
Get Ready to Study
We mentioned before that this degree is diverse and has a lot of things to learn. To be more precise, the courses are different from each other. You’ll be participating in a history and theory of architecture course one minute and the next you’ll be in a drawing course. And these courses aren’t exactly easy either. You need to put your nose to the grindstone as the competition in the world of architecture is fierce.
You’ll Need to Look to Internships
Even after you acquire your degree, your learning doesn’t stop there. To be a successful architect, you’re going to need some on-the-job training, or job shadowing. This is where you go under the wing of an already established professional and learn the ins and outs of the job from them. You also get to see how everything is done ranging from creating the blueprints to managing a team of people that are involved. Funny thing is that you don’t actually need a degree to become an apprentice. You can become one with just a high school diploma or GED.