As already discussed the architects are experts in all phases of work related to construction, designing and drawing. They have to work under deadlines. Deadlines are incredibly important to them. To meet these deadlines they work in weekends and sometimes even in the nights. Thus an architect should possess some important skills which will enhance their career.

SKILLS

Some important skills possessed by an architect are:-

●       An architect should possess few qualities that are mainly possessed by the business people, scientists and artists

●       Excellent academic skills

●       Analytical skills

●       Good observation power

●       Aware of social and environmental things

●       Good knowledge about the history of architect

●       Well versed with well-known architects and their styles of writing

●       Interest in politics, religions and society

●       Imaginative and dynamic

●       Practical and talented

●       Possess interpersonal and organizational skills

●       Responsible towards work

●       Disciplined

●       Cooperative and able to work in teams

●       Well-versed with the legal languages required in the profession

●       Leadership qualities

●       Physically fit (must requirement for the sites)

●       Expressive by nature. Can communicate their unique vision

TRAINING

There are three basic steps to the architectural training. They are:-

●       Professional degree i.e. a 3 years bachelor degree combined with 2 years of master’s degree.

●       Training from good organizations

●       Finally the architectural exam which is the first building block towards the profession of an architect

The 5 year course generally focuses on topics like architectural theory, structural design, environmental design, construction methodology, drafting tools, software etc. Besides this it also includes programs like combine classroom and design studio work with paid, professional and experience. There are firms who provide tuitions to architects towards the employee continuing education.

According to the US data in 2010-2011 the average salary for a graduate in architecture is 39,333 USD to 41,012 USD. The mean salary for a post graduate in architecture is 42,985 USD to 47,263 USD. Moreover the salary keeps on increasing with work experience and practice.

The architects also avail some additional benefits like retirement plans, paid vacations, insurance for medical, vision, dental and end life.

Architecture receives the highest pay from working with offices and real estate agents and brokers. They also receive high pay in industries like- management, scientific, technical, consulting services, insurance companies, real estates, scientific research and development services. Usually architect works for 40 hours a week. The architect who is self employed set their fees on conditions like overhead expenses and competition from others. Those who have just started their career as an architect can barely meet their expenses. With experience they can get a salary hike.

A licensed architect after getting good experience can easily handle the duties and responsibilities. They can even handle and manage the entire projects. They can move to supervisory positions and managerial positions in large firms. Some can even come up with their own firms or become partners in established firms.

Some relevant careers for an architect can be:-

●       Architectural engineer

●       Architectural historian

●       Architectural writer or journalist

●       Building contractor

●       Building designer

●       Building researcher

●       Cartographer

●       Civil engineer

●       Construction project manager

●       Drafts person

●       Environmental engineer

●       Fashion designer

●       Furniture designer

●       Illustrator

●       Industrial designer

●       Landscape architect

●       Marine architect

●       Mechanical engineer

●       Production engineer

●       Set designer

●       Surveyor

●       Teacher/Professor

●       Urban planner or regional planner

There is a substantial increase in investment year after year. But if we look at the career growth of an architect then there is a huge difference between the demand and the supply. This field is very competitive with great career options. The career opportunities for architect are many in government as well as in private sectors. The government sector includes areas like-public works department, ministry of defence, post and telegraphs, Town Corporation, housing and urban development corporation etc. where an architects are recruited for the construction purpose.

Entry to this field is usually by gaining work experience or further study or a combination of both. The architect should gain career-related experience in an architectural firm while still studying in the college. This will add to the architect’s experience. Those who know about the CADD (computer- assisted design and drafting) technology will also have an advantage.

Overall a large number of commercial architects gets opportunities according to there education qualification and work experience. The areas like health care, security, defense and technology are still untouched by architects so it can provide them with good working opportunities. The whole architect job market has great prospects.

The profession of an Architect is something which involves a lot of variety of tasks at work. It also involves various fields like spatial design, safety management, material management, quality control, interior decoration etc. It is a highly competitive and multi disciplinary profession.

Architects are licensed professionals who are trained in planning, constructing and designing of buildings. Other than this, they are also trained in wide range of activities like conceptual problem solving of project management. An architect also takes care of other important matters like safety needs, cost-effectiveness, customer satisfaction etc.

An architect possesses the qualities of an artist, professional and businessman. They are the people who are responsible for designing and construction of beautiful buildings, skyscrapers, cottages, houses, hospitals, landscapes or may be the entire city.

If we talk about their work then we can analyze that it’s not an easy profession. It requires lot of hard work and dedication. They gather ideas, sketches and make blue prints of the designs which finally come as buildings or houses or landscapes etc. An architect has all the right to have full involvement in the construction of the buildings.

One can rise on top in the profession of an architect. Talent and hard work is the key to success. They should have the quality of communicating their ideas to their clients. They propose sketches and designs according to the interest of their clients. Once the sketches and designs are finalised they have to contact the local authority for the permission of starting the construction. They also coordinate the participation of specialists in designing the buildings.

It has been estimated that architects held about 141,000 jobs in 2008. These jobs were in various sectors like engineering, service industries and related architectural sectors. Many of the architects also worked for residential and non- residential buildings, government companies etc. Some of them prefer to be self employed.

In US it is the rule that those who provide architectural services must be licensed. And to have this license one must have a professional degree in architect along with the internship or the practical training. They should be responsible enough to manage their duties and handle the projects.

Everyone requires a dwell to live, work, play, dance, learn, worship, gym, eat, shop etc. These places can be private or public. An architect is responsible for designing these places. They create the aesthetic and appearances of the buildings.While designing a building they have to keep various factors in mind like safety, functional, economical etc. Thus maximum roles and responsibilities are on their shoulders.

Some of the roles in nutshell are:-

●       An architect has to think about the long term vision of the project.

●       Have to take all the critical decisions that define the direction towards the project

●       Must focus on actions that produce results

●       Set objectives and marks

●       The architect has the responsibility of discussing objectives, requirements and budget with their clients

●       Prepare reports, designs and presentations for the clients to review

●       Coordinates and facilitates the work

●       Focus on technologies and standards to be used in construction

●       Lay more emphasis on quality

●       Should be able to express the ideas

●       Have to continuously visit the construction site to check the proceedings

●       Perform tests

●       Provide post construction services such as facilities and management

●       Give advice on energy consumption measures

●       Convey a sense of trust and credibility

●       It is the responsibility of an architect to identify and present the relevant information required by the customers

There are architects who specialize in one phase of work. They construct only one type of buildings like hospitals, schools etc. While there are others who lay more emphasis on planning and pre-designing of buildings and try to do minimal designs work.

Architects love to work in a comfortable environment, and most of their time in office is spend in consulting clients, making designs and drawings. Besides this they keep on visiting the construction sites to note the developments.