Welcome to the second post in my series titled "Why Architects Merit Their Fees." We're diving deeper into the complexities of our profession, underscoring the value we bring, the rationale behind our fee structures, and the indispensable role architects play.
Last time, we covered the eight years of rigorous schooling and the approximately $60k debt accrued. Not to mention the years devoted to the Master's degree, which can often feel more like a surrender of life than a period of study. Now, our narrative shifts towards practical experience, a necessary stepping stone to licensure. This transition commences with the creation of a portfolio.
For admission into the Master's program, students had to compile a portfolio - a visual testament to their design skills for prospective employers or institutions. Though modern platforms like Instagram have emerged as popular portfolio repositories, the traditional portfolio remains an indispensable necessity on top of a cover letter and resume. This portfolio mirrors your design skills, personality, flair, and interests. New graduates, brace yourselves! It's advisable to refine and polish the work you've done in the last three years to create an attractive showcase for potential employers.
Job hunting post-graduation can feel like scaling a steep mountain. Some graduates manage to find internships immediately after school, thanks to networking and summer internships. Others grapple with shifting their academic approach to architecture into the business sphere. Regardless of where they start - returning home or moving to new cities - a common thread connects them: a low starting salary of $40-$50K a year. For context, a new grad lawyer can expect between $70-110K. Given the intensity of their investment, many graduates find themselves questioning the worth of it all. Consequently, some bid farewell to the profession, while the tenacious ones persist.
Why such low starting salaries? Sadly, universities often fall short in equipping graduates with the marketable skills needed for a firm other than design. This gap necessitates additional investment and training. It's tough for many employers to justify hiring a university grad with design skills when a diploma from a technologist program may offer more immediately beneficial skills to the firm. Consequently, some interns find themselves assigned to mundane tasks with little design input or client interactions, while others dive into the design without understanding the nuances of detailing and construction. The consistent complaints? Excessive overtime, inadequate work-life balance, and minimal pay increments.
In our next post, we'll delve into why overtime and a lack of work-life balance are symptoms of more significant issues within architecture firms. Stay tuned as we continue to explore why Architects Merit Their Fees.
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