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In metropolitan areas where style meets form and function in the world of architecture, Level 3 Architects earn—on average—more than $60,000 a year! Making a living that nearly doubles that of most Americans… for doing something you love? Why not?!
If becoming an architect is your passion, here are a few tips to get you on the way to becoming the professional you want to be:
Do your research. Learn everything you can about various careers in architecture to narrow your focus and see where you fit in. You can learn more by writing to the Director of Careers in Architecture Programs at The American Institute of Architects, 1735 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20006.
Practice. Set up a professional drafting table at your home and spend time using it. In case you're not pulling that 60K a year yet, we found a top of the line, adjustable drafting table for only $499 at versatables.com. You can choose the color to match your existing décor, and the company ships for free (unlike most that will charge well over $100 for shipping), making that table an even better deal.
Read up. Invest in getting a few subscriptions to good architectural trade magazines like: Architect, Architectural Record, and Architectural Digest. You'll be inspired every month when you open the mailbox and see the current issue. And you'll stay on top of what's happening in the industry.
Take Classes. There are 105 schools accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Enroll at one of them. Don't turn your nose up at the idea of taking supplemental classes at a local community college though. These classes can give you the practice you need under a guided expert, without putting you in a financial slump.
Save Money. You'll need to work as an intern-architect for very little money for almost three years before taking your ARE (the exam you need to be a licensed architect—the real deal), so get on a budget that will allow you to do this and still maintain a standard of living that doesn't include eating Ramen noodles and boxed rice every night for dinner.
There's nothing keeping you from achieving everything you want for yourself. But be smart about it. Anything worth getting takes time, discipline, and dedication. But someday, when you look out the window of a building you designed, my guess is that it will all be worth it.