Jacob H.

Murdock
6726 S Balfour Ln, Murray, UT 84123
3853883008
Jmurdo41@bruinmail.slcc.edu

Professor Sal Giani

Salt Lake Community College
4600 S Redwood Rd, SLC, UT 84123

To whom it may concern,

I wanted to research the career path of an architect. What does the prerequisite schooling

entail? What are the pros and cons of going into this field? What are the opportunities available?

I approached this research with a wholistic view of objectively analyzing the ins and outs

of the career. As I have researched the topic I have found distinct advantages for eventual

prospects in the field of architecture. I have also found, adversely, great threats to family health,

and chances of success. After great deliberation I have decided that this is a path I would like to

go down. Although the amount of potential strains on family life are ominous and adamant

during the initial years of schooling, after graduation from the program the level of stress greatly

decreases and the opportunities that open up are substantial. This reason, coupled with several

other aspects which I present, has made the prospect seem achievable and worth the investment.

Sincerely,

Jacob H. Murdock - SLCC Student

Architecture as Art
1

Becoming an Architect -

‘Architecture as Art’

By: Jacob Hansen M.

April 27, 2018

Architecture as Art
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………3

Job Description……………………………………..…………………………………………...3-4

General Career Path……………………………………………………………………………..4-6

General Education Experience………….……………………………………………………....6-7

Average Salary………………………………………………………………………………….…7

Career Outlook……………………………………………………………………………….....7-8

Bio of Someone in the Profession……………………………………………………………....8-9

Pros and Cons……………………………………………………………………………………10

My “Fit” …………………………...…………………………………………………………….11

Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………..12
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Abstract

The path taken, the effort given, and the challenges inherent may dissuade one from

pursuing the career of an architect. But Given the proper perspective, I feel one should be

anything but entirely enthused to aggregate the skills and time and effort into the journey of

becoming an architect. Most Architects will tell you it’s not the easiest of jobs to pursue; let’s

take a look at why they do it.

Job Description:

Simply put, an Architect is someone who helps to plan, design, layout, draft and finalize

blueprints and plans for buildings. In my interview with Mr. Jimena Herrera (Jimena Herrera,

personal interview, April 14, 2018), a licensed landscape architect, I learned that architects focus

a lot on the clients’ desires and find a way to make that come to fruition in accordance with

building standards and safety regulations. (Matthew Fetzer, personal Interview, April 11, 2018)

Matt Fetzer, BIMD (Building Information Modeling Designer), went into a little more detail

about what this career field looks like. He described three different positions in Architecture that

all have different roles and descriptions. First is a Designer. Designers don’t need a license and

only require certain training and experience. They are hired for either residential jobs or

corporate building assessment modeling and advertising. Residential jobs, like Matt has done in

the past, include designing and drafting entire houses or simply remodeling existing ones. As

long as the architect is up to date on the building code, there is no license that’s needed to be

acquired. Right now, Matt works for the University of Utah mapping out all building blueprints
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onto one comprehensive program. He inputs all the specifications and measurements of the

current structures and creates a 3D model of it all. The School commissioned him to do this so

that in the event of all future remodeling they can go off of one comprehensive plan. When this

plan is already in a system, the architect can use the existing program and just make a few

changes as needed instead of having to do an assessment and input data of their own. In the end,

this will save the University thousands of dollars for any future renovations. A Drafter is

someone who can do everything a licensed architect does as long as they work under the

licensure of an architect firm or for an architect. Their plans and designs are then approved and

looked over by the licensed architect. A licensed architect is someone who works in coordination

with the contractor and city planner to design, layout, and draw (draft) building structures for

human use and occupation (a civil engineer would do the same for city structures no occupied

and used by people).

General Career Path

Matt described to me the basic course that not only a drafter and a designer would take in

their career, but also that of an Architect. An Architect is required to intern for 3 years before

receiving licensure. Many people choose to stay with the firm they intern for after they receive

their own license, but after you do you can choose to go wherever you want. Many Architects

choose to pursue their own business or business with a company they feel that they can progress

higher in and are more suited for. For a Drafter, they typically either complete some schooling

and training before seeking a position or they take part in an apprenticeship program. That’s how

it was for Matt, his Grandfather and his Father both were licensed architects and he took on work
Architecture as Art
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with them as an apprenticeship where he learned almost all of his current skills. As technology

changes, career paths can change as well. Not too long ago there weren’t any computer programs

for drafting and designing but now we have multiple. For Matt this meant going back to school

to take classes to learn the new technology. Eventually, after schooling, Matt was ready to take

on his own business as a Drafter. He now works as a BIMD, for the U of U. Drafters who have

received the necessary training might choose to go down this road. For yet other Drafters,

working for an Architect or Architect firm to assist in the workload might be something they’d

wish to pursue. Finally, Drafters can create their own pool of work, or their own business,

creating plans for residential construction and remodeling which simply have to be approved by

the city planner and do not need any sort of licensure. Designers typically work with one or more

corporations/contractors to work with clients to provide a general layout/design of the home or

business that they want and give basic models and ideas for buildings. Designers also can offer

independent service and partner with architect firms to refer clients to them. Other designers

work for contractors to run their advertising, that’s something that Matt also has done.

Going back to Architects really quick; in further online research I found an article by

Brandon Hubbard (Brandon Hubbard, January 21, 2017) detailing 10 different career paths that

an Architect is able to chase. These include roles that were not discussed in either of my

interviews such as:

Technical (rather than Design) Architects – a Technical Architect will work specifically

on plans and drawings for the construction crew that detail the process of “how to” on

complicated sections of the project that need further explanation and detail given. They

also run over the plans to ensure that there is enough information for all parties involved
Architecture as Art
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in the actual construction of the building to know how to do their job (Electrician,

Plumber, Contractor, etc.).

Specifications Writer – The sole job of a Spec’s Writer is to write up the specifications

page(s) for the builders to know what type of material is used where and how it is to be

used. It is also the Spec’s Writer’s job to ensure before-hand that all of the different

materials chosen will work together on the project and fix any complications.

Project Manager – Once you have received training and experience, an Architect may

choose to pursue this position. Like any other project manager position, a Project

Manager oversees one or more specific projects in full detail, delegating responsibilities

and tasks and ensuring that the final project is complete in all aspects and up to code.

An Architect may also choose to pursue any of the careers previously defined as paths

that a Designer or Drafter might choose.

General Education Experience

My interview with Matt yielded enough information about schooling required for me to

be almost accurate in my description. Matt noted that not only is a Master’s Degree required but

that a 3-year internship and passing a complex exam after completing both of the above is

required for licensure. However, there were a few details left out, so I looked up the rest. (The

Study.com Video Team, Nov 7, 2017) For a Licensed Architect, the Bachelor’s Program is

generally 5 years in total, and if you’re looking for something a bit shorter, there are some

Schools that will combine the Master’s Degree Program with the Bachelors Program for a total

of 6 years. After you have obtained your Bachelor’s you may begin your internship and continue
Architecture as Art
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your schooling towards obtaining your Master’s Degree. My interview with Jimena, however,

provided a unique look at Architects throughout the world. Mr. Herrera worked in Chile for a

while as an Architect. In Chile you complete a 4-year apprenticeship and schooling program

where you learn on the job while going to school for it and then work from there. Mr. Herrera

chose to take the money he’d earned and move him and his family to the United States.

Average Salary

According to a the BLS 2017 survey (US Department of Labor, April 13, 2018), the

average gross annual salary of an Architect working in the United States is $78,470. Mr. Herrera

shared that his salary was 30k/annually after taxes (converted Chile to U.S. monetary value).

Considering the cost of living in The United States is 52.67% higher than that in Chile (Numbeo,

April 2018), I ran a simple calculation to determine how Mr. Herrera’s annual Salary compared

to that of an Architect here in the States. This was about 10 years ago when he worked here in

Chile, so the calculation is as follows:

Average gross annual salary of U.S. Architect (2010) (Sokanu, January 2018) minus

Taxes (SmartAsset, 2018), vs. average net annual salary of Chile Architect (circa 2010)

times 1.5267 (for cost of living calculation).

$73,344-20,601= $52,743 VS. 30,000*1.5267=$45,801.00

So perhaps, even in other countries, Architecture really can be an upper-middle class job.

What color of collar is that? I’m guessing pin-striped blue and white.
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Career Outlook

According the Study.com Video Team, the predicted growth percent for Architecture as a

career from 2014 to 2024 was about 7%. In just 4 years, that number, according to BLS and

www.innovatorsguide.org (BLS, January 2011), has decreased from a predicted 16% between

the years 2008 and 2018. With a lot of data out there, and without being a statistician myself, it

was hard to tell just what the stability of this career looks like. However, every study I have

looked at has indicated an increase in job opportunity and expansion. Talking with Matt and

Jimena (and as informed by innovatorsguide.org), I learned that the field is indeed a competitive

one, but that if you really have the desire and determination there is most definitely room to

work, and, they predict, there always will be. Matt mentioned that for a licensed architect the

prospects are actually quite stable because whenever the economy is slowing down the

government has pledged to spend billions of dollars on spending to build infrastructure both

figuratively and literally. So, as long as the government doesn’t fail, neither will the career field

for licensed architects who are determined, hard-working and, in Mr. Herrera’s words,

“passionate about their work.”

Biography of an Architect

All this information is great, but how can one really know what it’s like to grow through

this process? I asked Matt Fetzer about his Father and his Father’s journey to become, and life

as, a Licensed Architect. Here’s Matt’s insight into the life of an Architect:
Architecture as Art
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“Architects have to pass an Architecture Registration Exam (ARE). My Dad was an Architect, I

was 12 by the time that he finally passed it. It took my Dad three attempts, you can do whatever

you set your mind to…

Matt went on to warn:

“You’re not going to be rich. When you finally get your master’s degree you’ll be making $18/hr.

and once you’re finally licensed to make lots of money you have to build up a cliental. If you go

that route pick a good school, but work at an architecture firm first to find out if you like it. It’s a

really long road. 8-9 years and then more work after that.”

So, what about Matt’s job? What’s it like pursuing that dream? Well Matt never went past an

Associates Degree of schooling for becoming an Architect, instead he decided to avoid that

strain on his family and personal life and just hoped right into work as a Drafter and later a

Designer. But just because he avoided hard years of schooling away from home doesn’t mean

life was much easier for him personally, but perhaps it was on his family.

Matt said of his own experience:

“I started hand-drafting architecture for my Dad, remodels to LDS Churches and City Rec-

Centers. Then drafting went from hand-drafting to CADD. Then we went out of business and I

got a job structural engineering firm. Then worked for an architect. Then worked with my Dad

and the company he was with. In all of these I was a drafts-man. Then for Craig Wall Design, we

designed homes. So, I created all the floor plans and even did my own home. Then at J&J we did

high end stuff. When the economy crashed I lost my job. The company I was working for had a

pretty good-sized firm. We had seven or eight architects, 15-16 draftsmen, and connected to an

interior design firm. And before the market crash we had 12 mansions we were working on and

the next day we had 2. I made the first couple rounds of lay off then lost the job. Then I did stuff
Architecture as Art
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on the side and then the U of U needed a guy to do the CADD drawings for all their buildings and

my buddy told me about it and since I was qualified with CADD I said sure. Then on the side I do

plans for people. So, I get odd jobs for like brochures and advertising for a developing company

my brother is a CO of. And also, just individual jobs. With the Job I have right now I could retire

from there and be well off.”

But while it’s been a long road for Matt, he told me he “wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Pro’s and Con’s

We’ve already gone over a lot of Pro’s and Con’s for Matt and Jimena, but what else can

we look at? Marc Teer shared his experience in Architecture on his website,

www.blackspectacles.com (Marc Teer, October 4, 2016). He stated several benefits I had not

considered or come across elsewhere. The list included; reimbursement from firms for the AR

Exam, joining a firm as a licensed architect increases the rating of that firm and therefore your

prospects with them, owning your own firm someday, and the personal fulfillment of being

responsible for public health and safety. On top of that, in reflection, we’ve covered that: you

have a wide range of opportunity and possible job selections, you aren’t just bound to one. You

have a higher likelihood of always having a job as a licensed architect in comparison to other

construction-based industry positions. The pay is pretty good once you get your license.

There are definitely a lot of downsides including the time and effort, the risk that if you

don’t make it you’ll have wasted all that time for nothing. It’s a competitive industry. You might

have to move to find a job you really want with a firm you really like. It could take a while to

build up a reputation and cliental and by that time you’ll probably still be in a lot of debt for
Architecture as Art
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schooling. But perhaps the greatest con for those interested was well put by Matt’s wife Jody

(Jody Fetzer, personal interview, April 11, 2018), who said:

“As we looked at options for Matt to become a licensed architect after his unemployment, we

decided that it would be too hard on us. From we we’ve seen and learned from others: It’s hard on

the family. If you want to have a strong family without risk, then you wouldn’t like the risks that

come with this. You don’t get much time with your family.”

My Fit

Taking all of this into consideration, I’m not sure I’m ready quite yet to pursue this path,

but interestingly enough I’m perhaps more interested now than I have ever been in it. There’s a

lot of those “Pro’s” that I had never considered or thought of as being part of the experience I

could someday call my own. I’ve decided to spend more time researching, interviewing, and

looking at what factors I can control to potentially eliminate some of those “Con’s.” If I can do

that, I would absolutely be thrilled to be an Architect, Licensed and all. And then the sky’s the

limit from there!

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Bibliography

1. Brandon Hubbard. January 21, 2017. 10 Potential Career Paths within Architecture. The
Architect’s Guide. Retrieved from; https://www.thearchitectsguide.com/blog/10-potential-career-
paths-within-architecture

2. Study.com Video Team. November 7, 2017. Education Needed to Become an Architect.

Architecture. Retrieved from: https://study.com/education_needed_to_become_an_architect.html

3. Sokanu.com. January 2018. How much does an Architect Make in the United States?
Salary. Retrieved from: https://www.sokanu.com/careers/architect/salary/

4. US Department of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics. April 13, 2018. Architects.

Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-
engineering/architects.htm

5. Smartasset.com. 2018. Federal Income Tax Calculator. Taxes. Retrieved From:

https://smartasset.com/taxes/income-taxes

6. US Department of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.innovatorsguide.org. January

2011. Architect Job Outlook. Occupations. Retrieved from:
http://www.innovatorsguide.org/occupations/architect_job_outlook.htm

7. Www.numbeo.com. April 2018. Cost of Living Comparison Between Chile and United
States. Cost of Living. Retrieved from: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-
living/compare_countries_result.jsp?country1=Chile&country2=United+States

8. Marc Teer. October 4, 2016. Top 10 Pros and Cons of Being a Licensed Architect. ARE.
Retrieved from: https://blackspectacles.com/blog/post/architecture-license-pros-cons

Additional Sources:

A. https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/architect/salary,
B. https://creativepool.com/articles/jobdescriptions/architect-job-description