A Michigan Jobs & Career Portal service.

Architects plan, design, and inspect the construction of all types of buildings, including private homes, offices, hospitals, laboratories, theaters, libraries, museums, and factories. Their work requires using design, engineering, managerial, and supervisory skills to produce structures that are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and safe.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Architects may:

Chose and prepare information regarding design, colors, materials, equipment, or construction time variables

Consult with clients to figure costs, expected use and proposed location of the building, schedules, and any other special requirements

Work with government officials to assure compliance with zoning and building regulations, and represent the owner in seeking any required difference from the regulations

Prepare layout and scale drawings to show how the building will look

Develop renderings, detailed drawings and sometimes models

Specify building materials and, in some cases, the interior furnishings

Translate the design into construction bid documents (specifications showing how the building is to be constructed)

Coordinate the work of structural, mechanical, electrical, and other consulting engineers

Assist clients in obtaining construction bids, selecting a builder, and negotiating the construction contract

Supervise construction to make sure that the design and quality requirements are met, according to the construction contract

Architects may also select building sites, prepare cost and land-use studies, and conduct long-range planning for land development.

Click here to watch a brief video on Architects!

The tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Architects may specialize in these areas:

001.061-010  ARCHITECTS working in firms usually specialize in one or more of the following areas: Principals (Architects) of the firm negotiate with clients to win projects for the firm, and handle all future contacts with clients to ensure that all details are handled satisfactorily. Project Planners and Designers conduct site investigations, develop basic requirements for the structure, and suggest alternative design concepts.

Project Managers or group leaders supervise a staff who prepare the working drawings, models, and sketches of the proposed finished structure; determine the specifications of materials to be used; and develop cost estimates depending on the size of the firm. Construction Administrators oversee the actual construction to ensure that all plans and specifications are being met. Often this is done by checking shop drawings prepared by subcontractors.

Some Architects may specialize in the design of certain types of buildings. Others may teach in colleges and universities or specialize in research or history. Still others may work for large corporations to administer their building expansion requirements and return architectural and engineering services from outside firms. In government, some Architects work as building officials.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Some Architects have individual practices and work alone. The majority of Architects work as members of a team under the direction of a project manager or a more experienced Architect. The team may include not only Architects but other professional persons, such as mechanical, electrical, and civil engineers as well as professional planners.

Architects work in clean, well lighted, well ventilated offices and may sit for many hours developing designs and drawings. They may spend some time outdoors when inspecting the proposed building site or when overseeing the construction of the building.

Salaried Architects working for the government or an architectural firm usually work 40 hours per week. Those who are self-employed often work long hours especially during the final stages of a project. Architects in private firms may also work overtime during busy periods as do those who work directly with clients. Architects may make presentations to school boards, church organizations and similar groups who only meet during evening hours.

Architects may travel to clients' offices and proposed building sites. They may also travel to inspect buildings in progress and to attend meetings in which proposed building designs are presented to interested citizens.

Architects may furnish some or all of their drawing and drafting equipment. They may also furnish their own transportation to and from building sites and clients' offices.

Many Architects belong to a professional association. The largest association is The American Institute of Architects. Architects may also join The Society of American Registered Architects. Members of associations pay periodic membership fees.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a scientific, technical, or aesthetic nature

• Activities which require creative imagination and artistic skills

• Communicating ideas or information to other people

• Activities involving business contact with people

You Should Be Able To:

• Draw and sketch

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Plan, direct, and control an entire activity or other's activities

• Communicate well in speech and writing

• Work under pressure

• Use reason and logic

• Perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately

• Visualize flat drawings or pictures as solid objects

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Rate information according to measurable standards

• Deal effectively with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

• Compare and see details in objects, pictures, or charts

• See differences in their shapes, shadings, or measurements

Math Problem You Should Be Able To Solve:

If a family room has the desired area of 75 cubic feet, and a height of 8 feet, what are the possible lengths and widths of the room?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Using grips, you can stretch, move, rotate, scale and mirror selected objects in AutoCAD.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to submit a written construction bid document which is translated from your designs.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to picture in your head what your customer wants as a structure and then translate that picture into designs.

All states and the District of Columbia, require Architects to be licensed.   Click here for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Architect for specific licensing information in Michigan.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: An Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school); a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school); a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation or as an alternative, several Michigan Colleges and Universities offer Architecture Degree programs . A Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

l0 ART , 0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1900 HISTORY , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

012 ARCHITECTURE

Programs in Architecture provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to design and draw residential and commercial buildings. In addition, instruction concerning the presentation of plans and specifications to planners and builders is provided. Architects also work at the construction site, making sure that all building is done according to specifications.

Michigan colleges and universities offer professional degree programs accredited by the national architectural accrediting board. These programs include: 1) a four-year, non-professional baccalaureate degree followed by a two-year, master of architecture degree; 2) a five-year bachelor of architecture degree; and a six-year curriculum leading to a master of architecture degree.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program  

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military website at http://www.todaysmilitary.com.

CIVIL ENGINEERS

Airfields, roads, bridges, buildings, power plants, docks, and water treatment plants on military bases around the world are continually being built, repaired, and improved. Civil engineers plan, design, and direct the construction of military facilities.

What They Do

Civil engineers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Study the need for roads, airfields, buildings, and other facilities

• Direct surveys of construction areas

• Design construction projects

• Help select contractors to build facilities

• Check construction progress to see that it meets plans

• Plan and direct facility maintenance and modernization

• Plan temporary facilities for use in emergencies

• Keep master plans for military bases up to date

Special Requirements

A 4-year college degree in civil, architectural, sanitary, or environmental engineering, or another closely related field is required to enter this occupation.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in engineering principles and concepts

• Interest in working with mathematical formulas

Training Provided

No initial job training is provided to officers in this occupation. However, advanced courses are offered to support medical service and environmental control building programs.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian civil engineers work for engineering firms, construction companies, and government agencies. Some may work for public utilities, railroads, and manufacturing firms. Civilian civil engineers perform duties similar to those performed in the military; however, they often specialize in certain types of projects.

Work Environment

Civil engineers work in offices when designing projects or reviewing reports. They work outdoors when overseeing survey or construction activities.

Opportunities

On average, the services need new civil engineers each year. Newly commissioned civil engineers usually assist senior engineering officers in planning and design. With experience, they may manage construction projects and, eventually, engineering offices. In time, they may advance to senior management or command positions in the engineering field.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Practical experience is part of the training for Architects. Summer jobs in drafting or construction may be available. Postsecondary programs in architecture may offer opportunities for experience. There are opportunities for experience in the military also.

           School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Architect employer

internships

volunteer work with a Architect employer

community service work with an agency

Architects may find employment by applying directly to employers and civil service offices, consulting college placement offices and faculty, and using professional journals, such as  The AIA | Michigan - A Society of the American Institute of Architects' monthly "Bulletin"  for locating jobs. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

SimplyHired

Indeed

Michigan Talent Bank

American Institute of Architects

MONSTER.COM

CareerBuilder   

            You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Salaries vary widely by the firm and the area. Architects having their own well-established private practices generally earn more than highly-paid salaried employees in architectural firms, but their incomes may fluctuate due to changing business conditions. Young Architects starting their own practices may have a period when expenses are greater than incomes.

The estimated average earnings (mid 2007) of Architects working in private industry were:

According to a large national survey of engineers, the average salary of architectural engineers in early 2008 was $82,817 per year.

The average salary of Architects employed by public colleges and universities as full professors was $93,627 (2007-2008). Typical pay ranges for architects working for the federal government ranged from $34,139 to $76,949 in 2008.The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

The median yearly earnings for all architects in the U.S. were $59,852 in 2007. The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $36,140 in 2007.In mid 2007, annual salaries paid to Architects and Architectural Engineers by several Michigan governmental agencies ranged from $38,064 to $75,091.

Depending on the employer, most Architects receive paid vacations and holidays, life, accident, and hospitalization insurance, retirement plans, and sick pay. Self-employed Architects provide their own benefits. Some employers may offer stock purchase/savings plans and bonuses.

Architects generally begin employment as Drafters. Drafting skills remain useful, but, as assignments become more complex, skills in designing and problem-solving become important for advancement. A career ladder for an Architect in a large, private firm may be: drafter, Architect, project manager, principal.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 131,900 Architects employed in 2006. Employment of Architects is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. Additionally, about 18.3% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Architects looked like this:

Since the employment of Architects depends on the level of construction activity, which in turn depends on the state of the economy, the number of openings may vary from year to year. Nearly three-fourths of Architects' business comes from designing commercial buildings and public and institutional facilities. Therefore, the demand for architectural services and Architects will depend on spending and public construction. Competition for jobs is expected to be keen, especially for jobs with prestigious firms.

There were about 2,550 licensed Architects in Michigan in early 2008. Most Architects were employed by various architectural, engineering, and surveying firms.

Employment of Architects is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. An average of 70 annual openings is expected, with 40 due to growth and 30 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

Growth is anticipated in non-residential construction and building rehabilitation. Homebuilders are increasingly using architectural services as they become aware of their value. Urban redevelopment; city and regional planning; and research and development in tools, materials, and building techniques and systems should also increase employment opportunities. Growth in industrial architecture is expected to increase as manufacturers automate and locate research and development and high-tech centers in Michigan.

Employment of Architects is strongly tied to the level of state and local construction, particularly nonresidential structures such as office buildings, shopping centers, schools (especially colleges and universities), and healthcare facilities. Demographic trends and changes in healthcare delivery are influencing the demand for certain institutional structures, and should also provide more jobs for Architects in the future. For example, increases in the school-age population will result in new school construction and additions to existing schools. And, growth is expected in the number of adult care centers, assisted-living facilities, and community health clinics, all of which are preferable, less costly alternatives to hospitals and nursing homes.

The number of annual openings, however, depends on the level of construction activity. Overall demand for architectural services decreases in periods of slow economic growth. As a result, graduate Architects and younger practicing professionals may seek jobs in other states.

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

Copyright © 2008 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth