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sephorablue


Marc Jacobs

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weird... feeling old...
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So today in my methods & materials class, we were talking about stuff like building load, stresses on members, etc... technical stuff having to do with the nitty-gritty physics of what makes buildings stand up. I was really really enjoying it. And halfway through the class, the prof goes, "If there are any of you who are interested in this stuff, who are enjoying it and find yourself thinking about it, you should think about architecture school." (I am in interior design school right now.)


And for a second I had that "ooh fun! cool!" feeling that I used to get when I thought about applying to grad programs... like I could do anything I wanted, isn't school great, etc etc.  Cause here's the reason I'd want to do it. Interior designers do a lot of the same stuff architects do, except we're not trained in all the structural stuff that architects are, so can't design anything requiring structural changes. We can't build a building from the ground up. Any designs we make that alter the interior architecture, even if it's non-structural, have to be signed off on by an architect before they are sent to the building dept. for approval. So within the field, we're limited, whereas an architect can do what is thought of as strictly interior design--and many of them do--but can also do all the other stuff.


So I came home tonight and looked up the requirements for a grad arch. degree and found out that it would take about four years, plus a three-year internship after that before I could be certified. And I just thought... no. I just can't. I already have one bachelor's, am in my third year of a second bachelor's--I'll be 28 when I graduate. Assuming I'd have to take a break for a few years, I wouldn't be starting the program until I'm in my early thirties. And then three additional years after that... I'd be almost 40 before I was a fully licensed architect! Not to mention, my early thirties is the time when I'd want to be starting a family, if I were in a position to do so--not the time I'd want to be starting an extremely intense and draining graduate program.


And I just suddenly got sad. I swear, the past six years have been so strange in so many ways, and this is yet another. I've gone from feeling like my life has just started and like the possibilities are limitless, to feeling like I now have to rule something out because it will take too long and I will be too old by the time I've finished it. It was just jarring, because in many ways I still feel in the same state of mind as I was when I'd just graduated. And yet more and more I'm realizing that's not the case. It's just a strange feeling.



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laken1


Hermes

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One of my friends went back for her degree & would be 35 when she was finished. Her approach was that she'd eventually be 35 whether or not she got the degree or not. Is it possible to finish up what you are doing & if you aren't fulfilled go back for the architect thing? Do you think you will be unfilled in the interior design arena? I think it's possible to be interested in one or more things but that doesn't mean you should get your degree there - does that make sense? Like I doubt I could get 4 degrees & actually do any work, but at least 4 different degree programs peak my interest.

I think at some point we all have to just pick something, but I'm a real crap stirrer in that you need to do something you feel good doing.......

I don't feel like I'm helping though. I'm 33 & don't know what I want to be when I grown up so at least I can commiserate with you .....



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Hermes

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laken1 wrote:

One of my friends went back for her degree & would be 35 when she was finished. Her approach was that she'd eventually be 35 whether or not she got the degree or not.
this is huge.  my only concern is that you would have regrets later if you don't take that path...

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halleybird


Hermes

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My dad is an architect...it is INSANE how much schooling is required. I know a little bit about the job, because he's had his own business for almost 20 years. He is successful, but honestly, the interior stuff sounds so much more creative to me. So much of his business is severely limited by city politics and constantly changing codes/zoning, which can really hamper creativity.


But starting a career at almost 40 is not really that unusual anymore, especially because people are retiring later and later. If you really feel like this is your dream, it's worth the extra time.


 


Weird side note: As I was typing this, my ipod is playing on shuffle...and The Decemberists' "Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect" started playing. Weird! I wonder if it's a sign...



-- Edited by halleybird at 20:24, 2006-02-17

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Renee


Kenneth Cole

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Sephorablue, my mom is an architect. It is an amazing profession. She does some interior design and even landscape design on the side because she enjoys it. She told me many times that even if you start your schooling late, it is worth it because "architecture is a profession for mature people". On the other hand, interior design is an excellent and very creative profession as well.


Also remember that even though you'll have the internship, you will still enjoy these three years working as an architect. Intense grad programs can be a lot of fun if you are doing something you love. But maybe you should work as an interior designer first and see if you fall in love?



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jettie


Kate Spade

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I get that weirld old feeling a whole lot....I've been working in the same industry (same company even) since I graduated from college....I went through a faze where I thought I wanted to go to law school, and even took the LSAT, but decided against it.  Sometimes I wish I had followed through and just gone for it (this was a few years ago, I was 24-25 at the time).  So now, at 27, its getting harder and harder to imagine going back to school for a totally new career.  It does make me sad sometimes because I get the same feeling you mentioned, where I no longer think the possibilites are endless and that I can't just up and move to a new city and start a whole new career.   Right now, I'm considering doing just that.  But enough of my rambling....


If architecture is really calling you, maybe you could take a class to get a greater understanding of the field.  You may regret not doing so later on.  



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relrel


Marc Jacobs

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just a sorta related comment...there are executive programs of many masters degrees that are designed to facilitate students who wish to earn thier specialized degree but who can't, for some reason or other, can't go to school full time. i doubt that archeticture school has an exec program because it's pretty highly involved, but it's always something to keep in mind.


my mom, who is 50 this year(!), has just enrolled in an executive program to earn her RN (registered nursing) degree. it's always possible to go back. if it's the choice between being doing something you might love for the rest of your life and doing something that you only kinda like for the rest of your life, school is always there.



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blubirde


Chanel

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I'm a little late coming in here....


I like Dizzy's approach. You'll be 35 with or without a degree. My mom started going back to college when I was in kindergarten. She finally got her degree the year I graduated high school. 12 years! It took her that long with a full-time job, kids, and working around the cost.


She then spent the next 8 years of her professional career (she retired last summer) working in a job that I KNOW was a lot more fulfilling than anything she'd done up to that point. And the money made a difference for her, too. Point being, she could have just gotten by and done whatever because god knows it's daunting at age 40+ to be attempting a degree, but she didn't. And the result was so much rewarding for her, even though it may have been a harder path.


My advice: just because it's hard and/or scary doesn't mean it's wrong. It's just hard and/or scary. I say go for it. If it's something you could be passionate about, do it. (As someone who graduated at 23 with a law degree and a whole life of a profession in front of her, I can assure you it's much more important to find something you're passionate about than something that fits your plan.)


Good luck, whichever path you choose.



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