ARCHITECT

SELINA H

ERNANDEZ

COLLEGE/C

AREER PERIO

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MARCH 11, 2

012

WHAT DOES AN ARCHITECT DO?

An architect designs buildings. An architect is responsible for:

• making sure the building is strong and stable

• making sure it meets the needs of the people who will use it

• designing the exterior look of the building

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The architect draws up plans that show how to put the building together. The plans are usually drawn on a computer. The plans include the structure of the building, the heating or ventilation, the electricity, and the plumbing.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

You must complete three steps to become an architect:

1. Get a degree in architecture. Courses usually include things like architecture theory and building design, as well as a lot of math and science.

2. Complete an internship. This means you work under the supervision of somebody who’s already an architect.

3. Get licensed in your state. You must pass an exam to earn your license.

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SALARY RANGE

$70,320

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The average annual salary for an architect in 2008

If you are doing your internship, you will make a lot less than that.

CAREER OUTLOOK

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Jobs for architects are expected to grow at 16%, which is faster than usual, between now and 2018. This is especially true for architects who study “green” building techniques.

Most architects work for an architecture firm. Others work for government agencies, and some architects work for themselves.There will be a lot of competition for good architecture jobs. People who work with a firm while they are still in school have a better chance of getting a good job.

PERSONAL ASSESSMENT

After learning more about it, I think I would like to become an architect. I have strong visual/spatial intelligence, which I think you need to be an architect. On my values assessment, it said I valued being a leader, which is good, because an architect has to tell a lot of people how to build things. The My Next Move site actually suggested I should be an architect.

I would need to work on my science classes. Architects need to know a lot of science, and I have a hard time with science class.

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My Strengths Why It Would Help Me Be a Good Architect

Good at math Architects have to do a lot of math to make sure the buildings don’t fall.

Like to draw Architects have to do a lot of drawing when they plan a building.

Like using the computer

Today, architects do most of their planning on the computer.

SOURCES

• "Architects at My Next Move." My Next Move. US Department of Labor. Web. 10 March 2012. <http://www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/17-1011.00>.

• "Architect." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Web. 10 March 2012. <http://www.bls.gov/k12/build04.htm>.

• "What Is Architecture?" ArchCareers.org. American Institute of Architects. Web. 10 March 2012. <http://www.archcareers.org/website/article.asp?id=8&navitemid=15&linkid=32>.

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