5 Entry Level Jobs for Architecture Majors

Are you currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and planning on graduating this year? If yes, then we have some insights to help you navigate the start of your career and succeed in the field of architecture.

What are my options as an entry-level architect?

Entry-level architects’ duties vary from preparing drawings, blueprints, 3D models using digital software, making schematic drawings of buildings, and getting approvals from architects or engineers for the models. As an entry-level architect, you need to assist your firm’s supervisor with each assigned project. In addition to helping the head architect or engineer with a specific task, entry-level architects are responsible for ensuring that all projects adhere to practice standards and meet their client’s needs. Entry-level architects should implement an effective communication system with clients to avoid misunderstandings or issues during a project, whether determining their exact requirements, developing a construction plan, or adhering to building codes and regulations. Becoming an entry-level architect position is an excellent opportunity to learn and develop your skills. Once you have gained enough experience, you may be assigned to more complex projects or even manage them.

Does my degree make me qualified for an entry-level position?

Does my degree make me qualified for an entry-level position? Entry-level architecture positions require a bachelor’s degree in architecture, which takes up to 5-years to complete. The degree program you graduate from is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). During your undergraduate years, you should try to gain hands-on experience through internships. Merging your education with a professional background has provided you with the desirable skills to excel as an architect.

By obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, many students develop a range of desirable creative, visual, practical, and design-based skills applicable to numerous career areas in creative industries. Here are five of the most common entry-level career paths that architecture students pursue.

1. Landscape Designer

Do you have an appreciation for nature, a creative flair, and a passion for working with your hands? Who knew that landscape architects do just that. A landscape architect draws the conceptual plans and coordinates the landscaping projects. Landscape Architects plan and design land projects, but they must consider the cost and their clients’ needs and requirements. They also collaborate with engineers and construction managers to complete tasks. While working on projects, landscape architects have to consider different environmental factors and wildlife when building structures surrounding their habitat. Most landscape architects are self-employed or work for state and federal governments.

Alternative Careers: Urban Planner, City Planner, Residential Architect, Product Designer, and Tourism Planner

Degree Level: Bachelor’s degree

Skills: Verbal Communication, Active Listening, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, and Computer Skills [CADD for model preparation and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)]

Average Annual Salary: $73,160

2. Construction Project Manager

Have you always been crafty with your hands, or as a kid, did you always play with Legos? Becoming a construction project manager would be the ideal job for you! Construction Project Managers are unusually overseeing a site construction and are responsible for managing the time, cost, and quality of construction projects. Sometimes they may be asked to work on other projects such as residential buildings, commercial buildings, industrial buildings, roads, bridges, and schools. Being a construction project manager gives you flexibility, such as being self-employed or working for construction management companies, developers, or property owners.

Alternative Careers: Facilities Manager, Site Engineer, Building Safety Inspector, Business Analyst, and Sustainability Consultant

Degree Level: Bachelor’s degree

Skills: Communication, Risk Management, Technology, Negotiation, and Team Management

Average Annual Salary: $103,110

3. Lighting Designer

Do you love attending concerts, shows, and theatres? Have you ever wondered why you had such an incredible experience? This job might be the perfect match for you. Lighting Designers are behind the scene people who bring life into the productions on stage. You need to be actively involved throughout the design process, typically helping with research, attending rehearsals and design meetings, and sharing their inputs on lighting ideas with other production team members. The lighting designer is responsible for color, special effects, safety, fog, floor surfaces, and hanging lighting designs. Lighting designers are also involved in creating lighting charts using computer software to produce a cue sheet for the electrician and a focus chart for each lighting fixture.

Alternative Careers: Set Designer, Stage Designer, Exhibition Designer, Fashion Designer, Interior & Spatial Designer

Degree Level: Bachelor’s degree

Skills: Technical skills, Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines, Good communicator, Excellent color vision, Lighting, and Computer software

Average Annual Salary: $61,020

4. IT Architect

Are you intrigued by computer programming and technical communications? Why not become an IT architect? It might be the perfect career path for you. IT architects work at different companies and organizations to ensure that their computer networks are protected and maintained correctly. IT architects are responsible for analyzing and implementing risk management techniques, system design assumptions, and other information system issues. They use computer design software to model and test network plans before finalizing and implementing them. Such computer software allows IT architects to resolve technical problems, change routers or focus on advancing existing computer networks. The IT architect must also work with the project management team to make decisions promptly and keep each project on track.

Alternative Careers: PR & Communications Specialist, Tech Founder, Architectural Photographer, Teacher,

Degree Level: Bachelor’s degree

Skills: Strong communications skills, Problem-solving skills, Relationship skills, Negotiation, and Communicate complex technical information to all stakeholders of a project

Average Annual Salary: $109,020

5. Game Designer

Have you always been fascinated by video games? Do you want to turn your dreams of playing video games such as Call of Duty, Rocket League, NBA 2K20, Grand Theft Auto, and Halo into a potential career? Then, consider merging your interests into a career that fulfills your interests! A game designer works with other team members to develop and design video games. They play an integral role in creating and designing characters, levels, animations, and more. To become a game designer, you need to be highly skilled with various computer programming languages and software.

Alternative Careers: 3D Visualization Artist (modeling & rendering), User Experience (UX) Design, Graphic Designer, and Web Designer

Degree Level: Bachelor’s degree

Skills: Creativity, Computer software and systems, Communication, Collaboration, and Project management skills

Average Annual Salary: $105,950