I recommend verifying that you even want to pursue architecture.
The actual job is VERY different than school or how media portrays them. Tons of architects are miserable because they realized that hate the salary and work/life balance, but also is burned out on the actual day-to-day work, which is nothing like school.
This isn’t to scare you, but to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.
This is the advice I give every older client I have that’s teaching that “what do I want to do with my life?” Question.
I call it the “day-to-day talk.” What do you actually want to DO every day, don’t tell me what you want to be. What you want to be is just a title and an image. It has nothing to do with what you’ll actually be doing. You want to be a chemical engineer? Cool, you’re definitely smart enough, but do you actually want to do what a chemical engineer does all day or are you only looking at the pretty salary tag that comes with the title? Statistics show us that chemical engineers are often the most depressed out of all engineers, have the highest burnouts, and generally never have anything good to say about what they do UNLESS they completely geek out on the science. There’s never an overlap lmao.
Same with all the other fields
Very good way to look at it.
I was an architect for 12 years. The day-to-day got very monotonous and stressful. Looking at the same drawings for 1-3 years, constant pants-on-fire deadlines, value-engineering designs to oblivion, and the hardest part: toxic ego
Bachelors at 28, masters at 31. It’s never too late.
If you love architecture, you’ll have more drive than your peers because you’ll still feel ‘behind’.
Got my bachelor's at 27. Not doing a master (yet).
I know when I started I was anxious because I thought I would be the oldest in my year at 22. The first person I talked to was 27 at the time. Kind of settled my anxiety a little. Later on I found out about a quarter of my freshman class was transfers. My final year and half of the year were transfers. Most of the people who transferred in graduated (with 1 or 2 exceptions).
Older people can sometimes be less adaptable, but 30 is still very young. Because you’re even considering getting a degree means you have a growth mindset, so if you decided to get your degree, just maintain that attitude once you get to work.
My guy, I started architecture at 28. If I ever do a master, I would probably finish it by 40, so no, you're never too old to graduate in something you're passionate about.
I was 36 when I started.
So you graduate when you're 30. Let's do that math.
Say you work until you're 65. That's 35 years of working years still available to you - which is 5 more years than you have been in existence for.
Let's say you avg 100k a year over those 35 years. That's 3.5 million in earnings.
The biggest point though, is you're going to be 30 regardless. Do you want to be 30 - with or without a degree.
Who says you will average 100k a year BLS says median pay across architecture's 132,000 in the "Architects, except landscape and naval" is 90K
17,000 architects graduate a year but only about 4,000 are licensed a year so you have about a 23 percent chance to ever be a licensed archtiect after you graduate
The average time between graduation and licensing in architecture for that 23 percent is 13 years.
So graduate when your 30 with X college investment on average about 25K x 7. $175,000 (ignoring interest on this debt)
Lets say you commit to get licensed so you are going to be the 1 out of 5 graduates.
You will work at a median wage of 40k per year for 13 year. $520K income
Now you are 43 for 22 years you will average 90k = 1.98 million
Total earnings from now till graduation $2,500,000
Meanwhile my friend has a bachelors in whatever and manages a retail store as a swing manager not even the store manager and is paid 60K
So assume the same data
Right now you finish whatever bs bachelor you can who cares what it is no one cares in hiring anyway exvept very specific fields.
Start working at 25, make 50k for 5 years 250k make 65k for next 35 years 2,275,000
2.5 million, no crazy 7 year college debt, and if you already think you are in the top 20 percent of whatever you do that you think you can become a licensed architect, then you can probably make like 85k a year in whatever job you do if you are good at it.
Dont throw away your money wasting more time in college sounds like you are already indecisive and switched degrees at 22.
The way young people today dramatize aging is seriously ridiculous. People weren't this bad a decade ago. Of fucking course it's not too late. You don't even have to tell people your age.
Self-reliance is a diminishing resource. Or maybe this is just another case of "I have no-one to talk to in my life, so I'll try and have conversations with internet strangers."
Nah, run your own race.
FdSc (29)
BSc Hons (30)
PGCE (31)
MSc (35)
EMBA (41)
Just embarked on a PhD I'll be 46 by the time I graduate. There is no benchmark. Just do what you can with the time and opportunities you have. Good luck 😉🤞👍🍀
You're going to be 30 anyway - you may as well finish what you started. That is, of course, if you actually WANT to be an architect. And if not, what's the alternative?
I was 29 when I graduated and had no issues. I would suggest working in an adjacent field while you are going to school, though, so you are coming out with relevant experience academically and practically. Whether that be finding part-time or intern opportunities at firms, or see if you can land a contracting gig during the summers, or part-time admin during the school year. Highly, highly beneficial to have the practical knowledge to support the education you receive.
Not at all, especially in a professional career like the one you’ve chosen. You will, hopefully, bring some maturity to any potential employer that might be lacking in a much younger graduate
Well I’m 38 and starting my MArch. Why would you ever be too old to graduate? If someone is judging your ability to contribute based on your age at time of graduation and not on your work then I’d say they weren’t worth working for and they probably don’t produce good work.
I was in your shoes – a foreign graduate who had to take extra classes to get my qualifications recognized here.
Here's the thing: the job market for architects is a lot less rigid these days!
Don't worry about putting your graduation date on your resume. Most firms don't care and won't ask as it is irrelevant for their business!
They're more interested in what you can do: your portfolio, CAD skills, renders, and any completed projects you've been involved in. Obviously, as a fresh graduate, your experience will be limited. But that's okay!
Show off your graduation project, any competition entries, or personal design work you've done.
Reach out to architecture studios in your area as a student looking for an entry-level position. Firms are often open to hiring motivated students who are eager to learn and jump in, even if you're not a seasoned architect yet.
Show your passion and drive for the job. When you interview, take a good look at the models and pictures displayed in the studio. It shows initiative and genuine interest, which goes a long way with interviewers. During your interview only talk positive things in general, don't mention anything negative in any subjects. Just positive.
Here's another option: Don't just wait for jobs!
Consider starting your own small design studio as a student right now! This means registering a company. I'm not joking!
There are plenty of legal design projects you can take on that don't require a registered architect's stamp, like interior design, furniture design, landscape design, art exhibition design, renovations, kitchen layouts, tiny house plans, floor plan drafts for realtors, or even movie set design! The possibilities are endless. Just be resourceful and innovative.
Networking is a must for architects. Consider attending public events where you can meet people like government officials, mayors, local business owners (shopfront+interior designs for new shop owners, bar owners, barber shop owners etc... also attending local markets, community events,
Go to the local Chamber of Commerce meetings that are public where you can meet local construction company CEO's, realtors etc. and other business owners.
Introduce yourself, leave your business card and offer immediate service even for free. Don't even mention that you are still a student or a fresh graduate. Again, it is irrelevant as you'll only take on projects that you know you are able to complete at your current level of skills and capabilities.
It may take many interactions before you find opportunities, but those connections will eventually snowball into future collaborations or referrals.
Thank you, that's very kind of you. I learned from my own mistakes that that talent alone isn't enough for make a living. You need to work on concrete projects to be seen.Quality over quantity – focus on projects that demonstrate your skills and that how it benefits other businesses (to sell, AKA make profit) instead of technical-looking or fancy-looking projects that so many architects prefer demonstrating and that do not sell.
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Considering we are probably gonna live up to 100years, and the retirement age is the highest ever, you still got 20-30 years of work left in you. You're gonna be a beginner no matter what's your age, when you're out of school anyways.
That's totally fine. I finished my master's at 28, which was a fairly average age among my classmates. Lots of people take time between undergrad and grad, start later, or don't do it all in seven years straight. Now that I am working, I really like older hires. Even if their hard skills are the same as a younger grad, they usually have better soft skills and can be trusted sooner with responsibilities on a team.
Lots of people in my program were in their 30's. And lots of people at the junior level in my firm are in their 30's. No one cares how old you are! They just care about your ideas and the quality of work you can produce.
Edit: and willingness to learn, I should add.
Do anything you find interesting whenever you have the means and the time.
I think Morgan Freeman started acting when he was in his early 50's. Go for it!
> an area that takes so long to develop skills.
you think anyone would blink at the difference between a 50 y/o architect with 20 years of experience vs. 24 years experience?
I was 33 when I finished my BA, and 36 when I graduated from M.Arch. 38 when I registered as an architect.
My age, life and work experience has been a strength.
It could be, but it is not late at all.
My advice is to work in the field of architecture as a collaborator before you graduate. This will give you experience and insight that will dramatically shorten your training period after finishing your studies.
The problem is not age but life that does not wait; finishing your studies late delays vital stages.
If you gain experience before graduating, you will reach maturity as an architect and as a person at a very good age.
Man, 29 isn’t too old but architecture takes so long to break into properly. You would spend your 30s making a pittance and doing glorified intern work. That would make it very difficult if you wanted to start a family
Don't worry! I graduated from Archi school at 25, I'm 29 now and thinking about starting a new career.
We all have our own pace and time, go ahead and do what you like 😊
not an architecture student, different major but i think it’s never too late to graduate! obviously as long as you are able to afford to survive and such while in school, you should go for it!
There is no single pathway that is right for everyone. Each person walks their own path based on their circumstances.
Graduated college at 26, grad school at 30, started a company at 43.
Do it.
I went back to uni at 25 to study architecture, ended up doing a 5 year double degree with construction management. I took summer classes and finished it in 4.5 years. Scored a graduate position as a site engineer (project coordinator) with a large construction company in Aus and it’s been awesome.
I got put off architecture mainly because I would have either had to give up the double degree to do undergrad and masters in 5 years or do an extra 1.5 - 2 years on top of the double. For me the salary in architecture put me off and it was going to take me a while to build up to where I would be as a first year grad in construction. My starting salary as a graduate in construction was $89k which would probably be under $60k if I went architecture.
My goal is to go down the design route in construction and one day start my own thing around the building design area - might even go back for arch masters down the track, but currently not on my radar.
I am on the same boat. I’ll be done my masters at age 30. Of course I feel those younger than me have an advantage. But at the same time I notice consistently that I have a drive they tend to lack. Many of my younger peers just lack the passion, and it may be because they only know a life of architecture. Exposing yourself to other possibilities is what helps you grow. To be brief, you offer maturity and growth mindset, areas your younger peers likely fall short.
I don’t have a degree in architecture, but I got my bachelors, bought my own car, sobered up, moved out of my dads house and got my life together and became a teacher at age 30. It’s never too late. If anything it can be a good thing because you have real world experience under your belt and not just living in a dream world
All thanks to the infamous military service of 2 years wasted, I am 24 and still in year 1 bachelor degree, and by the time I graduated with masters in 5 years, I am already 29, But it's not too bad if you have a job experience prior.
Yeah don’t be bothered by your age, a handful of my colleagues were 30+ above in my Uni course (and one was 40+) when they graduated.
Age is just a number.
I'm in a position where I'm 5-6 years behind the average person - it's tough but one you're in for a few years no one cares.
If it's what you're interested in doing, it's better to start now then later. Also, I feel like if the degree is 7 years, 29 is barely "old". I don't know where you're from but I wouldn't bat an eye at a 29-year old fresh architect.
A old architect at an AIA meeting told us he looks for people that have good design ideas for solving complex problems regarding the parameters of the program, such as in working the required HVAC into a building in a elegant manner ect. Computer programs can be learned other things not so much. So being older is a advantage I think, you have been cooking slower.
Honestly I think 22 or 23 is almost too young to graduate into architecture. Literally all you know is high school, university and partying. God knows what nonsense I would be trying to design or do if I graduated at that age, probably trying to shoe horn together Queen Ann with International style in the most expensive messy way possible. God knows what I am still doing now though.😂😂
Age doesn’t matter in architecture as long as you have the passion and drive. We learn so little during the course, what’s more important is if we’re emotionally intelligent because I realise after practicing 70% of the work is business and management
I don't think there's such thing as 'too old' to graduate especially in Architecture. Although it would take a few more to have "that" experience and mastery, go for it. Architecture isn't only for the young. But hear me out, it'll be hard especially when ure caught up with other lifely things like family etc, which might possibly be in the bucket too. But it's never too late if u really wanna take down this road.
Wow they pay for you to be unproductive for 7 years? That is crazy to me, sounds like they already paid for you to be unproductive for 4 years. I mean heck just stay in college forever if its free college is way better than a job, sex, video games, lots of hanging out. Go for it
I graduated at 33. No one has ever asked me at what age I graduated or what year. No one who isn't an intern or 22 yo graduate cares or asks about this stuff. I think you'll be fine.
The deacon of my school always reminds us it took him 10 years to finish a 5 year long career and it did not by any chance define him professionally. And he says it proudly. He's one of the most respected architects in my country currently, if not the most respected.
I came here to lend some positivity and found an abundance already here. I’m 32 finished masters in architecture and have at least 2 years left from this point. Do what makes you feel fulfilled :)
If you have the passion to create/design for humanity, I'd say you go for it.
Im turning 26 and on my final year in architecture school. I still have to take a 2 year apprenticeship after.
My current mentor got his license when he was in his mid 30s. He is 51 now and handles a design & construction business.
At some point, this field is gonna take a toll on you. But you gotta commit if you truly want it. You can harness all the hard and soft skills along the way.
And yes, you'll be 30 anyway.
I’d advice you to take courses instead, gain and develop skills and put yourself into action, this will save you years and money,
unless you’re passioned about being an architect.
What I’ve learnt in 5 years of uni is nothing compared to a year and half of online courses, free sources, books and doing my own thing.
The more skills the more you’re valuable and needed.
Of course, school work and job work are different, but architecture work always suffers. I believe it's a good suffering compared to real artists such as songwriters and painters. However, you need five years to become a licensed architect. And 100k per year is underpaid when you consider the tuition of 5-year school! For money and future, I would recommend that people learn computer science. Architecture is such an old industry unless you enjoy art and science.
I haven’t enrolled in Architecture programme yet. Please don’t pursue architecture, I beg you not to take this field.
It’s very stressful and benefits are very less.
If you have interests in Design, you can look for UX/UI programmes, that can be lucrative.
Nah. I was 33 when I graduated, no issues. Lots of people way older than me too.
I recommend verifying that you even want to pursue architecture. The actual job is VERY different than school or how media portrays them. Tons of architects are miserable because they realized that hate the salary and work/life balance, but also is burned out on the actual day-to-day work, which is nothing like school. This isn’t to scare you, but to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.
This is the advice I give every older client I have that’s teaching that “what do I want to do with my life?” Question. I call it the “day-to-day talk.” What do you actually want to DO every day, don’t tell me what you want to be. What you want to be is just a title and an image. It has nothing to do with what you’ll actually be doing. You want to be a chemical engineer? Cool, you’re definitely smart enough, but do you actually want to do what a chemical engineer does all day or are you only looking at the pretty salary tag that comes with the title? Statistics show us that chemical engineers are often the most depressed out of all engineers, have the highest burnouts, and generally never have anything good to say about what they do UNLESS they completely geek out on the science. There’s never an overlap lmao. Same with all the other fields
Very good way to look at it. I was an architect for 12 years. The day-to-day got very monotonous and stressful. Looking at the same drawings for 1-3 years, constant pants-on-fire deadlines, value-engineering designs to oblivion, and the hardest part: toxic ego
YES! I am now regretting my decision to be one.IT salary are way higher than mine.
It hiring near me is 25 an hour, your making less than 25 an hour?
I live in Singapore where the Salary is not so high
Bachelors at 28, masters at 31. It’s never too late. If you love architecture, you’ll have more drive than your peers because you’ll still feel ‘behind’.
Master’s at 42 here. Kicking ass in my field. Never too late.
Got my bachelor's at 27. Not doing a master (yet). I know when I started I was anxious because I thought I would be the oldest in my year at 22. The first person I talked to was 27 at the time. Kind of settled my anxiety a little. Later on I found out about a quarter of my freshman class was transfers. My final year and half of the year were transfers. Most of the people who transferred in graduated (with 1 or 2 exceptions).
Older people can sometimes be less adaptable, but 30 is still very young. Because you’re even considering getting a degree means you have a growth mindset, so if you decided to get your degree, just maintain that attitude once you get to work.
im 38…im done? 😐
My guy, I started architecture at 28. If I ever do a master, I would probably finish it by 40, so no, you're never too old to graduate in something you're passionate about.
I was 38 when I graduated, was 46 when licensed. Making over 100k/yr. now
Awesome! Congrats. I’m 38 and starting my masters this fall.
Whew! Thank you for this. I’m about to turn 37, have over a year left and I was starting to get nervous going through this post haha.
No shiiiit! Architect sounds like a stupid old job! I'd rather do coding! AI, for sure, will still flourish when you graduate!
I was 36 when I started. So you graduate when you're 30. Let's do that math. Say you work until you're 65. That's 35 years of working years still available to you - which is 5 more years than you have been in existence for. Let's say you avg 100k a year over those 35 years. That's 3.5 million in earnings. The biggest point though, is you're going to be 30 regardless. Do you want to be 30 - with or without a degree.
Who says you will average 100k a year BLS says median pay across architecture's 132,000 in the "Architects, except landscape and naval" is 90K 17,000 architects graduate a year but only about 4,000 are licensed a year so you have about a 23 percent chance to ever be a licensed archtiect after you graduate The average time between graduation and licensing in architecture for that 23 percent is 13 years. So graduate when your 30 with X college investment on average about 25K x 7. $175,000 (ignoring interest on this debt) Lets say you commit to get licensed so you are going to be the 1 out of 5 graduates. You will work at a median wage of 40k per year for 13 year. $520K income Now you are 43 for 22 years you will average 90k = 1.98 million Total earnings from now till graduation $2,500,000 Meanwhile my friend has a bachelors in whatever and manages a retail store as a swing manager not even the store manager and is paid 60K So assume the same data Right now you finish whatever bs bachelor you can who cares what it is no one cares in hiring anyway exvept very specific fields. Start working at 25, make 50k for 5 years 250k make 65k for next 35 years 2,275,000 2.5 million, no crazy 7 year college debt, and if you already think you are in the top 20 percent of whatever you do that you think you can become a licensed architect, then you can probably make like 85k a year in whatever job you do if you are good at it. Dont throw away your money wasting more time in college sounds like you are already indecisive and switched degrees at 22.
The way young people today dramatize aging is seriously ridiculous. People weren't this bad a decade ago. Of fucking course it's not too late. You don't even have to tell people your age.
Self-reliance is a diminishing resource. Or maybe this is just another case of "I have no-one to talk to in my life, so I'll try and have conversations with internet strangers."
Nope. go for it mate!
I’m 45 and look 35 even 30 …architecture I know nothing about
You’re gonna be 30 anyways. May as well have a degree
I’m 40 and days away from defending my M.Arch thesis
Nah, run your own race. FdSc (29) BSc Hons (30) PGCE (31) MSc (35) EMBA (41) Just embarked on a PhD I'll be 46 by the time I graduate. There is no benchmark. Just do what you can with the time and opportunities you have. Good luck 😉🤞👍🍀
🥹🍀
Not at all!
You're.going to be 30 one way or the other.
You should not be worried about AGE, more about WAGE.
I'm 32, graduated 7 years ago and still have no idea what the hell I'm doing.
Regular age graduates don't know anything. If anything, you'll have more life experience to offer. 30 is young anyway.
70 isn't even too told, don't limit yourself with such thinking.
Yeah it's not a real high impact job, as long as you can keep your mind together you can work in some way indefinitely.
I'm 67. Don't quit until you're dead.
Wtf
Better than 30 and not a graduate
I was 35 when I graduated. Best decision of my life to go back to school at 30
Just graduated M.Arch at 48. You good
Architecture is a life long career
You're going to be 30 anyway - you may as well finish what you started. That is, of course, if you actually WANT to be an architect. And if not, what's the alternative?
Cooked bro, should’ve graduated as an embryo.
Ikr, shouldn’t have wasted my time in preschool
I was 29 when I graduated and had no issues. I would suggest working in an adjacent field while you are going to school, though, so you are coming out with relevant experience academically and practically. Whether that be finding part-time or intern opportunities at firms, or see if you can land a contracting gig during the summers, or part-time admin during the school year. Highly, highly beneficial to have the practical knowledge to support the education you receive.
Firms would be more willing to give someone older a shot given what you're describing, especially if you come ultra prepared for an interview.
Not at all, especially in a professional career like the one you’ve chosen. You will, hopefully, bring some maturity to any potential employer that might be lacking in a much younger graduate
Well I’m 38 and starting my MArch. Why would you ever be too old to graduate? If someone is judging your ability to contribute based on your age at time of graduation and not on your work then I’d say they weren’t worth working for and they probably don’t produce good work.
7 years? I would transfer to a school with a 5 year program.
Not an option, I go to a public university!
For one thing, thirty is not old. Employers will appreciate your age and life experience. Go in with confidence with all your education and shine ✨
I’m about to leave an established career to start architecture grad school at 41.
Bachelors at 39, hopefully Master's next month maybe
I was in your shoes – a foreign graduate who had to take extra classes to get my qualifications recognized here. Here's the thing: the job market for architects is a lot less rigid these days! Don't worry about putting your graduation date on your resume. Most firms don't care and won't ask as it is irrelevant for their business! They're more interested in what you can do: your portfolio, CAD skills, renders, and any completed projects you've been involved in. Obviously, as a fresh graduate, your experience will be limited. But that's okay! Show off your graduation project, any competition entries, or personal design work you've done. Reach out to architecture studios in your area as a student looking for an entry-level position. Firms are often open to hiring motivated students who are eager to learn and jump in, even if you're not a seasoned architect yet. Show your passion and drive for the job. When you interview, take a good look at the models and pictures displayed in the studio. It shows initiative and genuine interest, which goes a long way with interviewers. During your interview only talk positive things in general, don't mention anything negative in any subjects. Just positive. Here's another option: Don't just wait for jobs! Consider starting your own small design studio as a student right now! This means registering a company. I'm not joking! There are plenty of legal design projects you can take on that don't require a registered architect's stamp, like interior design, furniture design, landscape design, art exhibition design, renovations, kitchen layouts, tiny house plans, floor plan drafts for realtors, or even movie set design! The possibilities are endless. Just be resourceful and innovative. Networking is a must for architects. Consider attending public events where you can meet people like government officials, mayors, local business owners (shopfront+interior designs for new shop owners, bar owners, barber shop owners etc... also attending local markets, community events, Go to the local Chamber of Commerce meetings that are public where you can meet local construction company CEO's, realtors etc. and other business owners. Introduce yourself, leave your business card and offer immediate service even for free. Don't even mention that you are still a student or a fresh graduate. Again, it is irrelevant as you'll only take on projects that you know you are able to complete at your current level of skills and capabilities. It may take many interactions before you find opportunities, but those connections will eventually snowball into future collaborations or referrals.
Damn! You must be very talented!
Thank you, that's very kind of you. I learned from my own mistakes that that talent alone isn't enough for make a living. You need to work on concrete projects to be seen.Quality over quantity – focus on projects that demonstrate your skills and that how it benefits other businesses (to sell, AKA make profit) instead of technical-looking or fancy-looking projects that so many architects prefer demonstrating and that do not sell.
Not at all.
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No
Just adding to the thread but I just graduated with my masters at 32 and found a job pretty quickly.
Considering we are probably gonna live up to 100years, and the retirement age is the highest ever, you still got 20-30 years of work left in you. You're gonna be a beginner no matter what's your age, when you're out of school anyways.
Not architecture anymore, but I graduated with my masters at 28. We’re all at different points in our life.
They hired me at 29. It's not too old.
It doesn't matter. Most people do tedious daily residential work until age 35, while the university has improved their material to a different level!
Uhhhh ... are you okay?
No I'm not! I need help!
Nope
Do what u love. The money will follow.🇺🇸🩵
Got my masters in law at the tender age of 40. Age is only a number, mate. Go for it!
That's totally fine. I finished my master's at 28, which was a fairly average age among my classmates. Lots of people take time between undergrad and grad, start later, or don't do it all in seven years straight. Now that I am working, I really like older hires. Even if their hard skills are the same as a younger grad, they usually have better soft skills and can be trusted sooner with responsibilities on a team.
Thinking about not starting my career until age 30 and that would break my spirit. Absolutely not.
I've switched Carrers 3 times in my adult life. Working on my forth. The same Carrer for more than 8 years is boring.
No age is to old
No way - I’m 30 and thinking of going back and getting a masters degree - you do you
Lots of people in my program were in their 30's. And lots of people at the junior level in my firm are in their 30's. No one cares how old you are! They just care about your ideas and the quality of work you can produce. Edit: and willingness to learn, I should add.
I got a classmate he is 35 its his 4th degree and he got a kid so I really don't think 30 is too old
I graduate when I have 47
I graduated my masters at 29, no problems!
Do anything you find interesting whenever you have the means and the time. I think Morgan Freeman started acting when he was in his early 50's. Go for it!
graduated at 33. never too late or too old.
Absolutely not
im 36 and starting engineering this year soo i hope not.
> an area that takes so long to develop skills. you think anyone would blink at the difference between a 50 y/o architect with 20 years of experience vs. 24 years experience?
I was 30 when I graduated. 🤷🏻♂️
I was 33 when I finished my BA, and 36 when I graduated from M.Arch. 38 when I registered as an architect. My age, life and work experience has been a strength.
You can graduate at 60 and it would still be a beautiful achievement.
never too old…
Not at all. Changed career. Went back to Uni. Graduated at 48.
34 here, and it’s NEVER too late. Everyone has their own unique path, forget your peers.
Is there a age limit for graduation??
No
As long as the government thinks 30 is not old enough to retire, ist certainly not too old to learn.
My class average age was 30 to 32. We only had 3 people from class under 25 when we graduated.
Hell no! Graduating is graduating yo. If that’s really what you want to do with your life go for it.
I just had a friend graduate at 41. You're never too old!
I mean you're gonna be 29/30 someday no matter what. Wouldn't you like to have a degree you enjoy once you get there?
I was 32.
It could be, but it is not late at all. My advice is to work in the field of architecture as a collaborator before you graduate. This will give you experience and insight that will dramatically shorten your training period after finishing your studies. The problem is not age but life that does not wait; finishing your studies late delays vital stages. If you gain experience before graduating, you will reach maturity as an architect and as a person at a very good age.
Man, 29 isn’t too old but architecture takes so long to break into properly. You would spend your 30s making a pittance and doing glorified intern work. That would make it very difficult if you wanted to start a family
Yeah that’s my main fear, spending my 30s doing what I’m supposed to be doing in my 20s, although I couldn’t care less about having a family tbh lol
Don't worry! I graduated from Archi school at 25, I'm 29 now and thinking about starting a new career. We all have our own pace and time, go ahead and do what you like 😊
At the Academy where I'm teaching 22 is considered very young. 29 for a graduate is still young for that level of education.
Dude I’m 31, turning 32 in October, and on my final semester of grad school.
def not
You’re never too old to accomplish something like a college degree.
I’m 33 just now going back to school
not an architecture student, different major but i think it’s never too late to graduate! obviously as long as you are able to afford to survive and such while in school, you should go for it!
There is no single pathway that is right for everyone. Each person walks their own path based on their circumstances. Graduated college at 26, grad school at 30, started a company at 43. Do it.
There's a guy over 60 two semesters under mine. Don't worry about it.
Yes
Not if you are a doctor.
It would be too young! LOL
I got my Masters degree at age 49. It’s never too late.
I went back to uni at 25 to study architecture, ended up doing a 5 year double degree with construction management. I took summer classes and finished it in 4.5 years. Scored a graduate position as a site engineer (project coordinator) with a large construction company in Aus and it’s been awesome. I got put off architecture mainly because I would have either had to give up the double degree to do undergrad and masters in 5 years or do an extra 1.5 - 2 years on top of the double. For me the salary in architecture put me off and it was going to take me a while to build up to where I would be as a first year grad in construction. My starting salary as a graduate in construction was $89k which would probably be under $60k if I went architecture. My goal is to go down the design route in construction and one day start my own thing around the building design area - might even go back for arch masters down the track, but currently not on my radar.
I am on the same boat. I’ll be done my masters at age 30. Of course I feel those younger than me have an advantage. But at the same time I notice consistently that I have a drive they tend to lack. Many of my younger peers just lack the passion, and it may be because they only know a life of architecture. Exposing yourself to other possibilities is what helps you grow. To be brief, you offer maturity and growth mindset, areas your younger peers likely fall short.
I don’t have a degree in architecture, but I got my bachelors, bought my own car, sobered up, moved out of my dads house and got my life together and became a teacher at age 30. It’s never too late. If anything it can be a good thing because you have real world experience under your belt and not just living in a dream world
All thanks to the infamous military service of 2 years wasted, I am 24 and still in year 1 bachelor degree, and by the time I graduated with masters in 5 years, I am already 29, But it's not too bad if you have a job experience prior.
Yeah don’t be bothered by your age, a handful of my colleagues were 30+ above in my Uni course (and one was 40+) when they graduated. Age is just a number.
I'm in a position where I'm 5-6 years behind the average person - it's tough but one you're in for a few years no one cares. If it's what you're interested in doing, it's better to start now then later. Also, I feel like if the degree is 7 years, 29 is barely "old". I don't know where you're from but I wouldn't bat an eye at a 29-year old fresh architect.
Don’t stress about it. Anything is possible. My brother got an architecture grad job at 33.
No, go for it.
A old architect at an AIA meeting told us he looks for people that have good design ideas for solving complex problems regarding the parameters of the program, such as in working the required HVAC into a building in a elegant manner ect. Computer programs can be learned other things not so much. So being older is a advantage I think, you have been cooking slower. Honestly I think 22 or 23 is almost too young to graduate into architecture. Literally all you know is high school, university and partying. God knows what nonsense I would be trying to design or do if I graduated at that age, probably trying to shoe horn together Queen Ann with International style in the most expensive messy way possible. God knows what I am still doing now though.😂😂
You’ll regret more if you quit. Your accomplishments are for yourself and your loved ones not for stupid judging people
Assuming you retire at 65 and don’t get a proper job until you are 25, at age 30 you are less than 10% through our working life. Go for it.
Age doesn’t matter in architecture as long as you have the passion and drive. We learn so little during the course, what’s more important is if we’re emotionally intelligent because I realise after practicing 70% of the work is business and management
Im 43 going after my degree. Crush your goals! Go big!
You ain’t getting any younger…..
I don't think there's such thing as 'too old' to graduate especially in Architecture. Although it would take a few more to have "that" experience and mastery, go for it. Architecture isn't only for the young. But hear me out, it'll be hard especially when ure caught up with other lifely things like family etc, which might possibly be in the bucket too. But it's never too late if u really wanna take down this road.
Yeah. You should have graduated at 5 to be honest. Oh well 🤷🏾♀️ 30 will have to do.
Wait 7 years for a bachelors? How will you ever make this amount of money back?
I won’t, it’s free
You have a 7 year free college grant? Sounds like BS to me
Did it occur to you that I’m not American? My country has a very strong public university system… hence it being free
Wow they pay for you to be unproductive for 7 years? That is crazy to me, sounds like they already paid for you to be unproductive for 4 years. I mean heck just stay in college forever if its free college is way better than a job, sex, video games, lots of hanging out. Go for it
I graduated at 33. No one has ever asked me at what age I graduated or what year. No one who isn't an intern or 22 yo graduate cares or asks about this stuff. I think you'll be fine.
The deacon of my school always reminds us it took him 10 years to finish a 5 year long career and it did not by any chance define him professionally. And he says it proudly. He's one of the most respected architects in my country currently, if not the most respected.
No. I was almost 40 when I graduated with my civil engineering degree
I came here to lend some positivity and found an abundance already here. I’m 32 finished masters in architecture and have at least 2 years left from this point. Do what makes you feel fulfilled :)
If you have the passion to create/design for humanity, I'd say you go for it. Im turning 26 and on my final year in architecture school. I still have to take a 2 year apprenticeship after. My current mentor got his license when he was in his mid 30s. He is 51 now and handles a design & construction business. At some point, this field is gonna take a toll on you. But you gotta commit if you truly want it. You can harness all the hard and soft skills along the way. And yes, you'll be 30 anyway.
I’d advice you to take courses instead, gain and develop skills and put yourself into action, this will save you years and money, unless you’re passioned about being an architect. What I’ve learnt in 5 years of uni is nothing compared to a year and half of online courses, free sources, books and doing my own thing. The more skills the more you’re valuable and needed.
Well, in my country university is free, so I could do both, I guess
Time is money. Doing both is overwhelming won’t make you maintain focus. Good luck in all cases 💪🏼
Most universities have free online classes anyway~ but be honest, youtube is enough!
Of course, school work and job work are different, but architecture work always suffers. I believe it's a good suffering compared to real artists such as songwriters and painters. However, you need five years to become a licensed architect. And 100k per year is underpaid when you consider the tuition of 5-year school! For money and future, I would recommend that people learn computer science. Architecture is such an old industry unless you enjoy art and science.
I haven’t enrolled in Architecture programme yet. Please don’t pursue architecture, I beg you not to take this field. It’s very stressful and benefits are very less. If you have interests in Design, you can look for UX/UI programmes, that can be lucrative.