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What are some hardships of being an Architect?
Every job has its downsides, tell me about some of them!
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Eric’s Answer
Lucion, architectural projects usually have tight deadlines and that often requires putting in longer hours near a deadline in order to complete the design on schedule. In addition to the pressure to complete projects on time, the building design profession, in general, does not pay as well as many other professional careers. But, the work is rewarding and it can be very stimulating to work with other dedicated and inspiring professionals.
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Alex’s Answer
Hi Lucien! I'm not an architect, but I have heard through my social group that it can be a hard role as a graduate. If you manage to get a grad role in a big building firm (where a lot of the jobs are), there's limits on how creative you can be and it can be a bit of a grind - the company is aiming to churn out office buildings or apartment blocks, so they're not necessarily interested in 'great design' and more interested in building cheaply and efficiently. So maybe consider the types of roles you go for, you're likely to have more creative freedom on smaller builds (like home renovations).
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Shreya’s Answer
You are right, every job has its pros and cons. One huge con is how demanding the field can be. Architecture school does train one for it with intense studios and close deadlines but still, it never gets easy. One moment things are going smoothly according to plan and the next moment something goes wrong and it is all hands on deck with all-nighters to meet a deadline. Depending on the country you are practicing in, work-life balance may not always be the best. These can sometimes lead to toxic work environments and undue stress. Another con is licensing. While in some countries it is a fairly easy process, in countries like the USA, it can be a long process with many restrictions to it. Gender-based issues also exist, as architecture can sometimes be a male-dominated industry.
That being said, I have met some amazing mentors in the industry who have supported my career growth and learning. I have had the opportunity to work in the best teams and built connections that I will cherish. The end result of seeing a client happy, watching your hard worked design being built in real life and a community experiencing and enjoying the spaces you created and bringing life into them - it makes it all worthwhile.
That being said, I have met some amazing mentors in the industry who have supported my career growth and learning. I have had the opportunity to work in the best teams and built connections that I will cherish. The end result of seeing a client happy, watching your hard worked design being built in real life and a community experiencing and enjoying the spaces you created and bringing life into them - it makes it all worthwhile.
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Jessica’s Answer
Architects are required to go to college a longer than many other careers, such as accounting or business. There are great internships at public accounting jobs that you can do in school and then are able to start your career right after school!