where are there more job opportunities involving architecture?

Architecture students develop highly desirable creative, visual, technical and design-based skills. As well as a career in architecture, see what other opportunities are open to you

Job options
Jobs directly related to your degree include:

Architect
Architectural technologist
Interior and spatial designer
Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

Building surveyor
Commercial/residential surveyor
Higher education lecturer
Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer
Landscape architect
Planning and development surveyor
Production designer, theatre/television/film
Structural engineer
Town planner
Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience
Completing some work experience or an industrial placement helps you to develop an understanding of architectural practices and the industry from the inside. As well as generating some good contacts, it will build your confidence as well as your skills. It also demonstrates to potential employers that you're hard-working, reliable and motivated.

If you intend qualifying as an architect, then approach practices directly in search of work experience; try Architects (RIBA Directory of Practices).

Alternatively, you can practise your architectural skills in other areas such as the built environment, construction, landscape design, and other design practices. Remember that all work experience is valuable.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

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Typical employers
Architects work in a range of establishments. Graduates may be employed by small firms with fewer than ten employees. Public sector employers, such as local authorities and housing associations employ a significant proportion of the profession; and some large organisations, such as banks and supermarkets, may have in-house architectural teams.

Find information on employers in property and construction, engineering and manufacturing, and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV
While studying architecture, you'll develop specific skills plus a range of transferable core skills that include:

numeracy, design and drawing;
IT skills, e.g. computer-aided design (CAD);
project management skills;
the ability to solve problems in an analytical, logical way;
the ability to work as part of a team;
written and oral communication in various settings;
research skills;
decision-making ability;
adaptability and flexibility for dealing with unexpected situations where necessary;
the ability to reflect on, and improve, your professional performance.

What do architecture graduates do?
Almost half of architecture graduates are working as architectural and town planning technicians six months after graduation, with a further 17% working as architects.

Destination Percentage
Employed 73.2
Further study 9.6
Working and studying 5.8
Unemployed 7
Other 4.4
Graduate destinations for architecture
Type of work Percentage
Technicians and other professionals 47
Engineering and building 28.9
Retail, catering and bar work 6.2
Arts, design and media 5.1
Other 12.8
Types of work entered in the UK
For a detailed breakdown of what architecture and building graduates are doing six months after graduation, see What Do Graduates Do?

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Big cities are your best bet, especially for jobs specifically with an architecture firm. There are also more options for jobs within related fields and the AEC industry as a whole. If you want to stay in Texas, San Antonio, Houston, DFW and Austin are the places to go, maybe El Paso too. Architecture jobs in smaller towns are often hard to come by, unfortunately.

If you want to stay in the Rio Grande and cannot find something with an architecture firm, look into city jobs at the building and planning departments. You could also do design / build construction, or just work for a general contracting firm. Big companies, as well as public / private institutions like universities, often have a facilities department that will plan, build, and operate their buildings.

Good luck!