From skyscrapers to airports, houses, schools, and factories, architects design structures both to inspire and to fulfill practical functions. Architects design buildings that meet the needs of their client, whether that is an individual, government entity, or business. They sketch designs on paper or software, provide cost estimates, and develop projections for the construction time needed to meet a client’s specifications. Architects also lead construction teams, directing workers in the construction of the architect’s plans, so communication skills and the ability to create drawings and documents others can interpret is extremely important. Architects split their time between working in offices, where they meet with clients, develop designs and collaborate with other architects and engineers, and work sites, where they check on project progress. Architects typically work at least 40 hours a week, with many spending additional hours to meet deadlines. Self-employed architects may have more flexible schedules. Completing a five-year bachelor of architecture degree is typically the first step toward becoming an architect and many choose to pursue a masters as well, typically taking 1 to 5 additional years of school. After finishing their education, architects must complete a paid internship and pass the Architect Registration Exam.
What they do:
Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
On the job, you would:
Develop final construction plans that include aesthetic representations of the structure or details for its construction.
Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools.
Prepare information regarding design, structure specifications, materials, color, equipment, estimated costs, or construction time.
Engineering and Technology
design
building and construction
Safety and Government
public safety and security
law and government
Arts and Humanities
English language
music, dance, visual arts, drama, or sculpture
Business
management
Basic Skills
reading work related information
talking to others
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Ideas and Logic
come up with lots of ideas
create new and original ideas
Verbal
communicate by speaking
communicate by writing
Math
add, subtract, multiply, or divide
choose the right type of math to solve a problem
Visual Understanding
see hidden patterns
People interested in this work like activities that include creating, designing, and making your own rules.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Analytical Thinking
Cooperation
Dependability
Initiative
Integrity
You might use software like this on the job:
Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Trimble SketchUp Pro
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Data base user interface and query software
Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2
Oracle JDBC
bachelor's degree or master's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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