Often, on the job training provides the necessary experience employers are looking for and in fact, most often require before allowing job candidates to work on their own with limited or no supervision. There are accredited programs that are also required before employers consider design candidates. An associate's degree coupled with the design programs is preferred.
These design jobs within the architectural field require a lot of time spent outdoors. They must be able to endure inclement weather conditions and they also must be able to meet short deadlines and have the ability to read blueprints. Successful candidates will have an in-depth understanding of job sites, including soil composites and the geography of the site. Experience in computer aided drafting is a plus and the ability to read manual drawings and blueprints is often also beneficial for candidates.
It's also critical for these designers to understand how building materials affect the geography of the job sites. They need to understand the reasons for choosing steel over concrete or wood over masonry. Because of building codes and other compliance issues that each municipality requires, mistakes often cost contractors large sums of money. Further, safety issues require certain guidelines be followed and these designers must be able to accurately implement these requirements into the drawings and ultimately, the finished product.
Most often, those who choose this field are especially adept at mathematics and science. They have extensive computer knowledge. Past the required certifications and degrees, any other educational requirements will vary with employers. All specific certifications can be found on ADDA's website. Although some won't require these certifications, they are advantageous and often give job seekers an edge.
Growth within the architectural design field is expected to grow steadily, although not rapidly. Demands for specialties, such as a working knowledge of CAD, will provide leverage in a pool of qualified candidates.
It's also important to note at the time of this writing, the United States is in the midst of an unprecedented recession. There is currently an effort being made to develop a stimulus package that will severely cripple this country's outsourcing practice and the number of jobs overseas. This has the potential to provide a much needed "shot in the arm" for those who are facing competition from those in other countries. Therefore, these statistics are possibly a bit conservative.
With starting salaries near $40,000, coupled with benefits such as vacation, retirement and insurance, this field offers stability in earning potential as well as room for advancement. Those with the most experience won't hit a ceiling until they're earning near $60,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Those who choose a design architecture career are afforded opportunities to cross specialty lines and go into other design fields, such as electrical or mechanical. Once the foundation is in place, these transitions are readily accessible and require only certification. Clearly, this field offers opportunities not found in other career choices.
