5 Wild Questions: Student @ New York City College of Technology

Welcome to 5 Wild Questions, where we're asking people in architecture five questions about their jobs, salaries, experiences and opinions. We're finding out what it's really like to study and work in architecture, what people think of the industry, and where they see themselves going next. Five questions, honest answers.

If you'd like to take part, complete our quick and easy online questionnaire. You can choose to be featured using your full name, first name only or anonymously.

All submissions are reviewed before publication. We may make minor edits for clarity and length, but your answers will remain true to your original meaning.

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Joshua’s Profile:

Location: New York, USA

Age: 28

Occupation: Student/Part time Role

University: New York City College of Technology

Salary: $30,000 working 25 hours a week

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Joshua’s journey in Architecture so far:

I began architecture school traditionally but dropped out after one semester because of financial constraints. Took a long break working minimum wage jobs until I decided to go back to school again but this time working towards an associates degree.

It was an engineering esc program, unfortunately I was not prepared for having taking a long break, flunked badly and this really discouraged me. I took another break and then discovered another associates program of civil technology with plans of just becoming a drafter the rest of my life.

After graduating I temporarily working for parks and rec before I could get a drafting job I decided my ambition was not enough I wanted more for myself. So I decided to go back to get my bachelors once and for all.

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5 WILD QUESTIONS

Question 1: What does your actual day to day job involve?

What does an architect or someone who has left architecture actually do?

Drawing and connecting data points to create surveys and topography drawings for new house or renovations to be be submitted for approval by the town.

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Question 2: What are the best and worst parts of your job?

Do you enjoy your job in architecture?

Working in a small firm I can keep to myself without someone watching over me. You’re expected to be more independent and take on more tasks.

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Q3: What is your honest opinion on the architecture industry?

What do you think about architecture?

We need to make more money for amount of work and knowledge we bring towards the table compared to the developers who make all the money. Entry level jobs are being replaced by A.I but those jobs need people who know how to use it as an effective tool.

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Question 4: Would you recommend architecture to someone considering it?

Basically, is architecture worth it?

I would only recommend architecture to those who are truly passionate about architecture,not just interested in it because they like to draw because it’s much more than that. It takes a lot of mental strength and time which is what makes it hard.

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Question 5: What do you want to be doing in 5 years?

What can you or will you do with your background in architecture?

I want to be able to work at a design focused firm, being able to work on a project from start to finish, and or even something in the field of entertainment involving set design.

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Editors Note:

Thank you to Joshua for their submission at Architecture in Wild. This was a really interesting read which shares a lot of the same views regarding the pay and time associated with architecture. I would be interested to hear more about how A.I is replacing entry level jobs in architecture so if anyone else has insight, please share.

If you'd like to take part, complete our quick and easy online questionnaire. You can choose to be featured using your full name, first name only or anonymously.

All submissions are reviewed before publication. We may make minor edits for clarity and length, but your answers will remain true to your original meaning.

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