Anonymous asked: Hello! I happen to come across a comment you posted on Bob Borson's blog. You mentioned about nine months ago that you were going to become a licensed architect. I was wondering if it was difficult to obtain you license? Was it also difficult to find a job? I am a high school senior and I am super worried about stuff like this.
Hello, I understand being worried about stuff like that. I did get licensed, and yes it is a huge pain in the neck. It takes the average architect ten years to get licensed, and I did it in 7 years.
It is sometimes very difficult to find a job as an architect, and sometimes not. It depends on the economy at the time you’re looking. When I first graduated college, it was very difficult. I had to move to another state for a crappy $12/hr job with no benefits.
Right now it’s probably more difficult than it has ever been, but who knows what it will be like in 5 years when it’s your turn. Here’s my best advice: Get two degrees. Get an undergrad in Construction Management and a graduate degree in Architecture, or go to one of the schools that let’s you double major in those. Or combine architecture with computer programming or something like that.
Also, do summer internships during the summers if you can get one. I just kept working my coffee shop job during the summers in college, which was a mistake because I had no connections for the job search when I graduated.
The most important thing: Pick a major that makes you say, “Hell yeah!” Good luck
