Architecture not only lets you use your vision and artistic abilities to bring a wide array of structures to life; it also offers incredible career paths with plenty of opportunities to grow in the industry.

If you are still not sure about going to architecture school and taking this path, this guide is here to help. Use it to see if a career in architecture is right for you by exploring the opportunities and trends in this field.

A Look at the World of Architecture

Look at the buildings and other structures around you. They were all drawn to spec by architects like you might become one day. As an architect, you must use your artistic abilities and keen eye for detail to draw building designs of all kinds, including:

• Single-family homes
• Apartment buildings
• Condominiums
• Office buildings
• Warehouses
• Convention centers
• Schools
• Shopping malls

While attending an architecture program designed to prepare you for careers in architecture and construction, you will learn the technical, analytical and organization skills needed for that task. You will focus on building knowledge about computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) programs, for example, which allow you to draw everything using highly-detailed specifications.

Beyond learning the basics of using CADD programs to create building plans, you will learn how to:

• Analyze property and building specifications
• Identify and resolve deficiencies
• Manage contracts and keep records
• Effectively communicate with clients and colleagues

With these foundational skills, you can secure a position as an architect at a firm, offer your services on a freelance basis or take a different career path altogether.

Architecture Career Paths

Many students of architecture go on to build highly-successful careers at small local firms that focus on building residential and commercial buildings. That is not the only option, however, as an abundance of amazing career paths await you in the world of architecture. In fact, you have ample opportunities to focus on highly-specified areas of the architecture and construction world.

If you want to work on restoring historical buildings, for example, you might become a restoration architect. If you would rather set your sights on improving cityscapes, then it would be better to focus on becoming an urban planner.

Other potential careers in architecture and construction include:

• Landscape architect
• Surveying and mapping technician
• Architectural and engineering manager
• Interior designer

The sky is the limit when it comes to deciding how you want to build your architecture career—and the growth in this field.

Growth and Trends in the Architecture Field

Architecture professionals continue to see a slow, but steady, growth rate of 4% in their field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Beyond that, many awesome trends are shaping the future of architecture.

Sustainable architecture, for example, has caught on rather quickly as people look for ways to offset their carbon footprint and protect the environment. Tiny houses, green buildings and the like are all in demand as a result, putting architects in charge of designing the most sustainable structures possible.

Futuristic home and office designs have also taken hold as the trend of choice in architecture. This tasks building designers with the creation of high-tech builds that push the limits of innovation in everything they do.

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Apply now at Academy of Art University if you are ready to dive into the world of architecture and position yourself for success in that space. You can also request more information from our admissions representatives.