Activity 1.2.1 This is Your Career

1.    What is your age?

28

2.    Where do you live?

New York City

3.    What do you like to do outside of work?

Spend time with friends, drawing up my own concept designs

4.    What is your job title?

Design Architect

5.    When and why did you choose your career path?

 I chose this path in my senior year of high school. I chose this career path because I enjoy designing structures and contributing to society by providing new creative designs.

6.    What is the name of your company or employer?

Rex Architecture P.C.

7.    Describe your primary duties and skills. [Cite your source(s)]

Typically I first meet with a client to discuss the details and budget of a project.  Then I normally go out and visit the job site to get a feel for the enviroment and surroundings.  Next I have to draw up a concept design of the building usually using computer aided design and drafting software.  If the client accepts the design, I then hand off the design to other architects who will fill in more details such as blueprints. 
 

http://www.ehow.com/about_6692272_job-description-design-architect.html

8.    Describe your physical work environment.

I usually spend most of my day in the office meeting with clients, consulting with the engineers on the project, or drawing up designs.

9.    What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of the job is being able to open up my mind and actually put my creativity to use and get paid for it.

10. What is your salary? [Cite your source(s)]

Right now my salary is only about $40,000 but with more experience in time I could make up to $75,000 or more a year.

http://www.ehow.com/about_6692272_job-description-design-architect.html

11. Which accredited school did you first attend, and what was your degree? [Cite your source(s)]

I have a bachelors degree in architecture from Ball State University.

http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/CAP/Programs/Architecture/Programs/Bachelors/DegreeArch.aspx

12. Describe in detail three of the courses that you took which are closely related to your current career. [Cite your source(s)]

History if Architecture- Study in depth about the history, study the developments of vernacular and high-style architecture.

Structural Systems- Study the mathematical foundations of equilibrium, balance, centroids, neutral axis—with primary focus on developing a basic understanding of concepts of conditions of equilibrium and force/structural systems.

Architectural Design- Work on conceptual architectural design small scale projects and study architectural technology, research, analysis and programming.
 

http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/UndergraduateStudy/Catalog/201213Catalog/CollegesDeptProg/CAP/Architecture.aspx
 

13. Describe the two courses that you considered most challenging. [Cite your source(s) and include a course listing from the appropriate degree program]

Structural Systems- Study the mathematical foundations of equilibrium, balance, centroids, neutral axis—with primary focus on developing a basic understanding of concepts of conditions of equilibrium and force/structural systems.
Architectural Design- Work on conceptual architectural design small scale projects and study architectural technology, research, analysis and programming.

http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/UndergraduateStudy/Catalog/201213Catalog/CollegesDeptProg/CAP/Architecture.aspx

14. What resources did your school have available to help you get through the most difficult courses? [Cite your source(s)]

My school had a learning center on campus that offered free tutoring and there was also several workshops and group learning experiences that gathered together many students to assist in their courses.

http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/UniversityCollege/LearningCenter.aspx

15. Regarding the two most challenging courses, how did you persevere?  

I perservered through these classes by continuing to work diligently and I participated in many workshops throughout my years in school which greatly helped me overcome these difficult courses.

16. From what school(s) did you receive graduate degrees? [Cite your source(s)]

I received my graduates degree from Ball State university as well.

http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/CAP/Programs/Architecture/Programs/Masters/MArch.aspx

17. What was the title or titles of the degree(s)? [Cite your source(s)]
Master of Architecture (MArch) Professional Degree

http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/CAP/Programs/Architecture/Programs/Masters/MArch.aspx
 

18.  What licenses do you have and what were the exams required to receive those licenses? [Cite your source(s)]

My Master of Architecture (MArch) Professional Degree from Ball State is also my accredited license for architecture and to receive that I had to pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).

 http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/CAP/Programs/Architecture/AboutUs/Accreditation.aspx

19. How would your clients and co-workers describe you?

Hard-working, fun to be around, creative

20. What do you hope to accomplish at the conclusion of your career?

I only hope to be able to contribute a piece of my own creativity to the world in the form of an amazingly designed building or buildings.

21.  Why should a high school student consider a career in your field?  What important contribution(s) can they make?

A high school student should consider this field because it is a fun career to be involved in and something potentially worth doing.  Any architect, or architect to-be, can contribute by opening up their mind and showing their ideas and designs.

Conclusion

1.    You described a career related to civil engineering and/or architecture. Is this the career field that you are currently most interested in at this stage in your life?

This is one of the possible career fields that I am interested in, probably not the most interested in though.

2.    Rank and describe the three most important characteristics that you value in choosing a post-secondary school.

Areas of Study/course offerings- The most important thing is that your college choice has the courses and the area of study that you want to follow.
Cost- Your choice for a post-secondary school must be an affordable one
Faculty- Teachers and faculty members are also an important factor in choosing a college. Every teacher has a different method of teaching but students also has different paces and methods of learning, so it is important that you have teachers that can be sure you learn at your right pace.

3.    Rank the following in the order of importance to you regarding a career: job satisfaction; salary; making a difference; level of responsibility; titles; benefits; hours; co-workers; supervisors.  How will a career in civil engineering or architecture satisfy the factor that you ranked highest?
Job Satisfaction
Making a Difference
Co-workers
Salary
hours
benefits
supervisors
level of responsibility
titles

A career in civil-engineering or architecture would definitely be a fun job to have and do.