Planning a Career

There are approximately 110,000 licensed architects in the United States today, including some who are retired and others who are not working as architects. In addition, substantial numbers of non-licensed people are working in architectural offices. An estimated 30,000 students are enrolled in schools of architecture in the United States; 13,000 are in professional degree programs (BArch), 6,000 in professional master's degree programs (MArch) and 11,000 in pre-professional four-year programs.

Determining the demand for new architects is complicated by many factors. The cyclical nature of construction activity and the unpredictability of national and world-wide economics make an accurate assessment of the future needs for architects very difficult. . However, the National Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook predicts an increase in architecturally related jobs over the next decade.

As in other professions, the better graduates from professional programs have little difficulty finding employment, particularly if they have acquired some summer experience in an office or in building construction and if they are willing to relocate. Often, various sectors of the country will be "booming" while other areas are in a state of near recession. Read about one intern's systematic effort to find the right job. Here are some thoughts about how to prepare a portfolio from architects that have reviewed hundreds of them.

The education you will receive may also prepare you for many occupations:

Architect - Principal
Architectural Journalist
Architectural Historian
Corporate Architect
Draftsperson
Architectural Engineer
Art Director
Banker
Building Contractor
Building Inspector
Building Researcher
Carpenter
Cartographer
City Manager
Civil Engineer
Computer Systems Analyst
Construction Manager
Construction Worker
Creative Director
Facilities Manager
Fashion Designer
Furniture Designer
General Laborer
Graphic Designer
Illuminating Engineer
Illustrator
Industrial Designer
Industrial Engineer
Landscape Architect
Lawyer
Management Analyst
Marine Architect
Materials/Products Sales
Mechanical Engineer
Photographer
Physical Plant Inspector
Professor
Public Architect
Real Estate Appraisers
Real Estate Broker/Analyst
School Plant Consultant
Set Designer
Specification Writer
Surveyor
Technical Illustrator
University Architect
Urban Planner
Writer, Technical Publications