Career Question

I just have a couple questions and this seemed like a good website to stumble upon.

About 5 years ago I graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh with a Certificate in Residentail design adn planning -- I realized that this wasn't what I wanted to do with my life, however, I liked the general feild.

I've had jobs in kitchen design and currently I am working for a granite fabricator processsing drawings and problem solving. I enjoy CAD alot and would love to also venture into REVIT as well.

I am currently attending a local community college and continue a career in Architecture Drafting and Design. I love it so far but am still unsure where this will get me and what the next step will be.

I really think that I would love a career in Commercial Development creating and modeifing drawings if not working as a project manager. I, however, do not know what steps need to be made in order to get where I would like to be.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

______

My expertise is in the process of becoming an architect; I am not sure what you mean when you refer to a career in Commercial Development. You speak of "creating and modeling drawings." If you desire is to use these skills, you do not need to become an architect, but rather continue to develop those skills and market them to prospective employers. The fact that you know CAD and desire to learn REVIT will help as well.

As for the next step from your community college, you have to decide what you want. You may certainly enter the work force, but you could also choose to pursue additional education to either become an architect or other related disciplines.

I would suggest you be in touch with faculty and the career center of your community college to explore your options. I can only suggest you look long term.

Best. Feel free to contact me with further questions if desired.

Dr. Architecture

Drafting as Preparation

I have just finished reading the ARCHcareers web site and I am very impressed with the information provided!

I am keenly interested in studying architecture. I live in Perth, Western Australia and though the system of gaining a place in college may be different to that in the States, I was wondering your opinion on one thing. I am studying a 2 year course in architectural drafting at a smaller school in order to gain placement in University afterwards. I thought the experience in the technical side of architecture would better prepare me for college. Am I wasting my time to study drafting for so long? Do you think it would be better for me to just plunge myself into an architecture course if I am certain that this is the career I want to take (which I am.)?

I do not want to waste time and money, though I am thoroughly enjoying dratfing! Any insights you may have would be greatly appreciated, no matter how brief. If anything is unclear, please feel free to e-mail me.

Thankyou for your time
______

First, I would suggest you contact the Australian Institute of Architects for additional opinions on your question via the following websites.

http://www.architecture.com.au/

http://www.architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=22

From my experience, I would not suggest you are wasting your time, but typically "drafting" is not the ideal preparation for becoming an architect. In other words, drafting is NOT the technical side of architecture. I would suggest you contact some of the schools in Australia to gain some insight from them on your next step.

Do contact me if you have any additional questions.

Dr. Architecture