Expert: Richard Taylor, AIA - 4/2/2004

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I'm a civil engineering student interested in architecture.  I'm hoping to get your opinion on what you've seen in your experience.  I have a year until I get a master's degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in structures.  I've thought about staying in school to obtain a master's of architecture degree as well.  Would I ever be in a position where it would be to my benefit to have both degrees?  Please respond with any advice you can give me.  Thanks.  
Answer -
Brian:

Thanks for your question!

I'm going to answer it with another question - CE is a specialist field; Architecture is a generalist field - so what do you want to do?  Do you want to be an Engineer with some sense of design, or an Architect with a better understanding of Engineering?  What kind of projects catch your interest?

Your ideas about what you want to do will have a big impact on my answer!

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtaylorarchitects.com

Thanks for the response.  I would probably enjoy being an engineer with some sense of design.  I don't want to be one of those engineers that just "runs calcs" all day.  If I did get both degrees, I imagine I would be more valuable(sp?) to either type of company.  I think both degrees would help if I ever wanted to branch out on my own.
Thanks  

Answer
Brian:

If you obtain the education you're talking about, you'll be a valuable hire to someone, no question.  Engineering is entwined with Architecture, so as an Architect, the more you know about the technical issues, the better.

As an Engineer, assuming you can find the right niche to work in, a good design sense with make you a better Engineer and popular with Architects.  We stick with Engineering consultants that understand what we're trying to accomplish with our designs and don't look at everything as a math problem.

At your age (college age, I assume), you should be looking at the big picture, which it appears you are.  That's great - don't get stuck in a career track just yet.  Both fields you're exploring have many, many variations - some you can't even imagine yet and some that are yet to be created!

But you've also got to keep an eye on the practical side, so that you don't find yourself out there at 30 and still wandering.  Here's what you MUST do to succeed:

First, find out exactly what is required in order to get both your Architectural and Engineering licenses.  Whatever you do, get one or both of these as soon as you can - they're your ticket to the future.  Get them as soon as possible - the longer you put it off, the harder it is to get.  Right now, you'll need a professional degree, three years internship, and completion of the IDP to be eligible for the Architect test.  Plan ahead for that!

Second, get as many different kinds of experiences in the field as possible.  You should be working for a different firm every summer, if possible.  Do "gopher work" if you have to (and if you can afford to) to get into interesting firms.  Try big firms, small firms, traditional firms, botiques, etc.  One of my current employees (who worked here a couple of summers) came back here after working at a larger firm - she saw both sides and decided she liked the projects and atmosphere here better than in a bigger firm.  You can only find that out by trying them all.

Third, there are some less tangible qualities that may make or break your career.  Be passionate about your work - it's the self-motivated people (not the most educated or most experienced) that get the best jobs and advance.  Attitude is everything.  I can train an uneducated but motivated person to do architecture, but I can't make an MA with no motivation show up for work on time.  I'll take the "go-getter" every time.  Learn to speak and write clearly and well.  I'm constantly amazed at the resumes I get - tons of education but they can't write or spell.  My employees ARE my firm, and they represent me to my clients and the public.  Being a "professional" means more than the degree and license - it means acting the part every day.  Our clients are often highly-educated and very wealthy and they won't put up with us acting anything less than highly professional.

And finally, when you write your resume and go on interviews, pitch yourself with how you can help your employer to thrive - not how this job will help you.  That's a very common mistake in the resumes I see.

Good luck!

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtaylorarchitects.com