Specializations

I'm currently a Senior at the Caribbean International School located in Panama, and I'm really interested on taking Architecture as my chosen career. I've been researching the subjects that these career involves and I cannot wait to start, but since I'm planning to study here at Panama, I'm not sure on what are my options toward specializations. 

I'm also really concerned about what might my options of work be, taking into consideration that one day I desire to have my own Company that not only will be in charge of designing interesting projects to increase the standards of how the society lives here in Panama, but will also take into consideration how important it is to help people with low resources in the society. 

Apart from this, I'd also like to have interior decoration departments along with other departments that will also have to do with decoration and designing. To summarize the reason of why am I writing this letter, is because I have all these dreams and great ideas, but I have no idea of where to begin with, I'd really appreciate your help toward what specialization options do an architect career offers and which one do you think is the most appropriate one according to my goals as an architect. Thanks in advance.

________

A - First, my expertise if on becoming an architect in the U.S., not Panama.  Thus, I would be sure you understand the proper steps one takes to become in Panama that may be different than the U.S.

Second, with respect to specializations, you will need to do additional research to determine your interests; as you mention, interiors is certainly a specialization, but so are the following:

Art and Design

Building Information Modeling

Building Technology/Environmental Systems

Community Design

Computer-Aided Design

Energy

Engineering

Environment/Sustainability

Graphic Design

History

Housing

Interior Design/Architecture

International And Regional Architecture

International Development

Landscape Design

Photography

Preservation

Professional Practice

Sacred Spaces

Sustainablility

Tectonics

Theory/Criticism

Urban Planning and Design

As for your own company, you must research the industry and needs of Panama to determine what you architectural services you might offer given your goal to help individuals with low resources in the society.  You may wish to interview some architects in your region to best learn this.

One additional resource to review is Architecture for Humanity - http://architectureforhumanity.org/

Best!

Dr. Architecture