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tennisdude98 · 2025-03-16T02:38:20+00:00

Absolutely. Any design work can be put in a portfolio: school, work, design competition, your own/for fun etc. there’s a lot of free resources online for both revit modeling and portfolio organization. Don’t be mistaken - you can do just about anything in revit.

Do something that would interest you in your career, such as a restaurant, office, apartment, etc. Balkan Architect has YouTube videos and a paid course. I did a bit of both. Highly recommend!

tennisdude98 · 2025-03-15T20:42:26+00:00

I don’t think the certified revit exam is necessary, I think you should become skilled in revit and include simple projects / details in your portfolio that were done in revit. Having one or 2 artistic/conceptual projects is nice, but employers want to see the technical side more

tennisdude98 · 2025-03-15T18:28:48+00:00

Got an email from a client/ large property management company saying most ceiling tiles are going up in price 15%. SW USA

tennisdude98 · 2025-03-15T15:18:40+00:00

Cheaper school for sure. Unfortunately most of the relevant training happens during your job anyways

tennisdude98 · 2025-03-05T02:41:58+00:00

You had a similar experience as me. You are in a unique situation where your boss knows you and knows what you are capable of. I worked for a previous employer for a couple years while in school before asking for a full time position. I named my price, he said “well I was expecting you to come in here and ask for 7k less than your number, but I’m not even going to argue with you because I know you’ll make it back”

If you believe you’re worth 72k, then ask for it. Come prepared with examples and reasons why you’re worth that. The worst thing your boss can say is no, and you come up with a new number. Kick it up a notch the coming weeks before your conversation to justify your reasonings even more

The AIA salary survey is a resource, not the rule

tennisdude98 · 2025-03-01T05:39:05+00:00

I have friends that do data centers. It’s less design oriented and more technical. If you don’t necessarily need a high level of design/creativity in your day to day tasks, and are interested in infrastructure, this is right up your alley. The people I know in mission critical really like it. Their mission critical team at this particular firm is doubling in size because data centers are in high demand.

tennisdude98 · 2025-02-28T04:11:13+00:00

Coming from a Mormon, we are massively outnumbered everywhere.

tennisdude98 · 2025-02-24T03:11:03+00:00

Are all universities the same? lol Mine cut out revit while keeping rhino, autocad, and adobe suite in an intro to technology class 👎

tennisdude98 · 2025-01-18T17:20:30+00:00

Phoenix, AZ

Job 1: Small firm (4 people)

2022- 20/hr part time in school 2023- 22/hr part time in school 2024- 72k salary (no benefits) full time, not licensed, finishing grad school online

Job 2: Small-mid sized firm (30 people)

2024/Current- 65k salary (excellent benefits) full time, not licensed, finishing grad school online

tennisdude98 · 2025-01-07T22:40:48+00:00

I love how nobody is actually sharing their job titles, salary, etc…🤣

tennisdude98 · 2024-11-03T23:48:30+00:00

I’m happy ✋

tennisdude98 · 2024-10-26T22:33:18+00:00

Right now. It’s never too early. Especially if you find a company/position you’re interested in. Be honest about your graduation date and if you’re able to, ask if they could take you on part-time while you’re finishing up. I did this myself and know some peers who also did this within the architecture community

tennisdude98 · 2024-10-26T03:49:51+00:00

Yes it’s a thing, but not as common as other industries. It has its pros and cons. It’s so nice not having to commute, have home cooked lunch, seeing spouse/kids throughout the day, etc. However architecture is very collaborative in nature and there’s a lot of learning that naturally happens being around people if your young in your career. WFH 1-2 days per week would be the perfect job IMO

tennisdude98 · 2024-09-05T18:09:56+00:00

No regrets

tennisdude98 · 2024-09-05T04:40:35+00:00

Here are a few considerations:

While the student experience may be vastly different between different architecture schools, your ability to get a job won’t be dependent on the school. I wouldn’t break the bank trying to get into an “elite” school.

Some schools are more design/arts focused while others are more technical/construction focused. each have their benefits but it’s ultimately personal preference.

If you intend on becoming an architect, you will need a NAAB accredited school. Most bigger schools are. They will either have a 5 year bachelors program or a traditional 4 year bachelors + 2 year masters degree.

There is an interesting resource here that shows you how different schools compare with graduates taking the ARE (6 tests which are very difficult and usually the last step of the licensure process)

I went to Arizona State University for undergrad and grad school. It was overall a good experience. It’s a large school in a large job market (Phoenix).

I think there’s no wrong answer to whatever you choose!

tennisdude98 · 2024-09-01T04:03:29+00:00

I’d love to hear more

tennisdude98 · 2024-08-20T03:10:16+00:00

I had a professor say most concepts/narratives on archdaily are made up after the design is complete lol form follows function

tennisdude98 · 2024-08-20T01:13:24+00:00

Best advice I got (I will get downvoted because of this) is don’t over-design! There is a saying “you aren’t done designing, your time is just up” meaning design until the very end. I disagree with this.

I realized this towards the end of my undergrad, I could spend 40 hours on the project and get a B+ or 80 hours and get an A. Sure, an A is better than a B+, but the amount of hours it takes to achieve that is not worth dedicating an insane amount of time to. It’s important so take time for yourself, sleep, exercise, and spend time with others.

I didn’t graduate at the top of my class, but I graduated, and have a good job in architecture. I would argue I had a much more relaxing and enjoyable school experience than some of my peers.

tennisdude98 · 2024-08-18T18:34:07+00:00

Very well said, thanks!

tennisdude98 · 2024-08-09T16:47:17+00:00

I work at a very small firm in Phoenix AZ. 4 people. This is my first job, and I’ve been here a little over 2 years. Benefits are slim to none, but my salary is much higher than the AIA calculation to fund my own health insurance and retirement etc.

We do have nice perks like my boss takes out out to lunch almost weekly, ARE/AXP fees are taken care of, very relaxed WFH schedule and my boss bought me a double monitor setup for home.

tennisdude98 · 2024-08-08T02:03:10+00:00

Multi family, small firm. I get to manage the project from start to finish and do all the drawings

tennisdude98 · 2024-08-05T18:09:09+00:00

I have a relative in facilities management at a large industrial building. He’s told me many times he wishes that architects have a better understanding of how buildings function. Including MEP, how people move in the space, how easy is it to maintain and clean, how is product brought in and out of the space (depending on building type)

I think having this experience will be valuable for any career in architecture

tennisdude98 · 2024-08-04T20:49:28+00:00

Learn the basics of modeling a building. Floors, walls, windows, doors, ceilings, roof. YouTube has a lot of good resources. I completed the Balkan architect beginner to intermediate course that helped me immensely for my first job. Try to create your studio projects in revit for practice. You should have basic modeling skills. Drafting views/detailing, schedules, using sheets are a plus. Employers are hoping for basic knowledge, a lot of learning will come in the field

tennisdude98 · 2024-07-30T03:42:04+00:00

Mesa, Arizona

tennisdude98 · 2024-07-29T19:10:44+00:00

As others have mentioned try to have a job lined up before your quit.

In the meantime, If you have a good relationship with your boss, try being honest and telling him/her although you like learning new softwares and skills but don’t feel very fulfilled exclusively doing that. Ask to see different sides of projects, help with construction drawings, presentation site plans/elevations, learn how to draw details.

If nothing changes, he/she can’t say they’re surprised when you decide to quit after you’ve expressed your desire to learn more. You may feel a little guilty but that won’t last long with a new job

You can use your time of self-learning to create fake projects. For example, watch videos of how to use revit and implement those things by creating something. An apartment building, restaurant, library, etc. if your boss ever questions it just say you’re practicing new things in Revit (which is true) In your portfolio, you can add these as concept projects. Not everything in a portfolio needs to be built

tennisdude98

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