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Would you prefer carpentry as your career or architecture?

Being a carpenter was always a job i wanted since a kid. Architecture on the other hand has been my dream job. I would enjoy learning about designing buildings and write blueprints.
#Carpentry #Architecture

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Ruth’s Answer

You have alot of good answers to your question from others. Let me add some real life info. Lets start with the positive. It is a profession not a job and so your work will more likely be stimulating and varying. You get the satisfaction of seeing a physical representation of your efforts. You meet interesting, thoughtful people. You can work in an architecture firm, or you can follow other paths with your skills. One friend of mine worked for the park service as the client representative. Another worked as an in-house architect doing big projects for a healthcare conglomerate. Architecture can be good for balancing work and family by doing your own work. OK, now the other side. Architecture employment swings with the economy. A downturn and you could find yourself laid off, competing with others in the same situation. When you have a job, offices can be demanding, wanting more than 40 hours per week. You may be choosing to change jobs frequently. When in a small office, you can be in a situation where you can't rise further and you have to switch jobs to get further. And as my college dean said on the first day, "If you are in it for the money, leave." While you have the demands equal to a lawyer, your pay will be a pittance in comparison. And, finally, few people get to design prestigious, expensive buildings. My husband wondered why with all our complaining, my co-workers and I stayed in the field. You stay for the good parts.
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Darlene’s Answer

There is no reason you can't do both, in fact, I recommend that if you decide on architecture you should spend some years doing carpentry so you understand fully how the buildings you design actually go together. As a carpenter, myself, it can be very frustrating when things that are designed in a computer program don't actually work in the field. It's important to understand both fields. The hands-on building is very rewarding and it will make you a better architect.
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Michael’s Answer

Carpentry is a great skill to know to be hands on knowing how to physically construct and build things, but as you get older your body starts to fail and you have greater aches and pains. So there is only a limited time for you to make a career in Carpentry, but with Architecture you can do the job longer and be inside in the air conditioning.

You will have the upper hand if you are a carpenter that becomes an Architect because you will actually know how things get put together so you can draw better details and have a better grasp of construction compared to other architecture students that often draw details that are nonsense because they are ignorant of carpentry/construction and only learn from books which is not the same as learning hands on which most students do not normally get in school.

Architecture is rewarding because as you go along in your career you can drive around your city or even other cities where you have project that you worked on and have a sense of pride to know that you contributed to something that will last and become a part of the fabric of that city.

But follow your passion because if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life because you are doing what you love and it will not feel like work.
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Brent’s Answer

Hello Cristoval. As it happens, I have worked in both professions. I worked as a residential carpenter for about 15 years before attending graduate school and earning my MArch. Now I am a licensed architect in 4 states. Both professions are fulfilling, both require hard work, and neither pays super well until you pursue your own business. I would suggest job shadowing and seeing the professions first hand. Good luck !!
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Brianna’s Answer

Hi Cristoval, I think you are asking a great question! I agree with all the answers people have shared with you. Understanding Carpentry will make you a better Architect. I would encourage you, if are interested in both, to look for a college program that offers Architecture as well as Product Design or Furniture Design.

I attended Kansas State University (KSU) where the College of Architecture, Planning & Design (CAPD) offered degrees in Architecture, Interior Architecture & Product Design, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning & Design. While I chose to study Architecture, what was special about the program was the ability to look at design from all scales from the design of cabinetry in a kitchen all the way up to the design of street grids.
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Hassan’s Answer

I wouldn't be very good at either, but I'd suggest you explore what you really enjoy doing. Maybe even look into Mechanical Engineering which in my option combines the hands on with designing things. I'd expect that some of those engineering principles would be valuable when doing more elaborate wood designs.
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