Architectural Designs

would you rather be an architect or building surveyor?

i just finished my master in architecture and cant get a job because there isn't much going around because of the flat pace of the construction activity. but i am not sure if i want to pursue a career as an architect now the more i am looking into it. reason; 1. majority of the time it is an indoor job sitting in front of the computer all day drawing up someone else's design. if it is a small office then it can get quite boring just chit chatting to small number of people. 2. unfortunately, it isn't as high paying most people that don't know architecture make out to be. 45k when your a graduate, 90k after 9 or so years. ummm, while i have been studying i have been getting 2/3 of that at my warehouse job. 3. a lot of hours and effort which seems to be the norm and usually not compensated for it. however, because of the creativity and the freedom of the imagination to come up with something i could really enjoy it. besides, spent 5 years at uni doing it i loved it. but i think there is more to life then architecture and there has to be that life balance and money plays a big part in that, unfortunately. but i am wondering if there are other alternatives? well there is. there is a law change happening in WA for building surveyors and every firm here are anticipating to be inundated with work and under staffed. i have rang 4 companies and each one of them got me in for a chat and encouraged me to apply for a trainee-ship later this year. with my educational background one firm is offering 80k for a trainee-ship position! all said in few years of experience the earning potential can be extremely high. much higher then architects. ok the money is one thing but the work is another which i think is more suited to me. reason; 1. always out and about on different sites talking to a lot of people. 2. are involved in design teams and see projects from start to finish. 3. get to tell architects what to do. with reasons in their designs so building surveyor is still in the same field as architects but its a completely different role. it can get quite dry since its all about meeting requirements of the legislation and building standards. but i like the idea majority of the time mingling with people and still get appreciate good architecture. so, i don't really know what to do. i like the idea of being an architect and design some cool buildings but in reality only small majority get to do that and it takes a lot of years to get to that level. most famous architects are well past in the older years and majority of architects are on middle income wages. and building surveyor there is more demand for it but then there are its cons about the job. so just wondering if anyone has any experience in both fields and would like to share their experiences

Public Comments

1. Architect is OK but like you say, staring into an Autocad screen all day isn't much to write home about. Building surveyor should be a much better crack, finding out where the architect and builders stuffed up. You won't be the most popular person on site but you'll get the most job satisfaction and probably have some fun into the bargain.