When asked to describe the skills required for a job in architecture, several may come to mind. For example, architects must have both creative and technical skill sets. The occupation calls for individuals that can not only operate under the engineering principles needed for practical applications, such as accounting for load-bearing frames and drawing schematics, but also apply a level of artistry that overlays the basic functionality of the structure in order to create a building that is aesthetically pleasing. But that's just the nuts and bolts of the job.
Architects must also be able to interact with a variety of people, including clients, builders, suppliers, and city officials, just to name a few, so communication skills are vital. They also need to have knowledge of the history of art, design, and architecture in order to learn from the mistakes of others and move the industry forward.
As you can see, architecture is a multi-faceted profession and it takes a particular type of student to compete at a professional level in the field. So what benefits can attending community college provide to aspiring architects?
Attending Community College to Become an Architect
As it turns out, attending community college is rife with lessons for the average student interested in the field of architecture.
For starters, there are all kinds of classes you can take to prepare you for a career as an architect. You'll need plenty of mathematics courses, as well as drawing and/or drafting to learn the basic skills that will prepare you to tackle an architectural degree when you transfer to a college that offers the program you're seeking.
In addition you may find computer courses for software that will suit your purposes, such as graphic design. Although your particular 2 year community college may not offer classes specifically geared towards an architectural major, there are definitely going to be courses that you need as prerequisites for your chosen major as you get an associates degree.
And as long as you're not enrolled in community college online classes, the campus itself can serve as an early lesson in layout and design. Do the buildings function as they should, or are there flaws that could have been improved in the design process? Do you understand why the architects arranged buildings a certain way, not only concerning the physical space they occupy and the orientation in regards to the landscape, but also how they relate to other structures in the vicinity? Are the cosmetic elements functional or purely decorative? And are the buildings both functional and beautiful or does one aspect seem to take precedence?
But aside from practical lessons pertaining to your field of study, going to community college can benefit your budding career in other ways. For example, it can prepare you for the work ahead by instilling in you not only a love of learning and a passion for your impending career, but also the tools and the resolve to work hard and make smart decisions in order to reach your goals.
Attending community college provides students with their first opportunity to operate in a college setting, giving them the confidence to continue along an educational path that will lead to professional success.
So if you're looking for a career that allows you to draw up plans, present them to a committee for approval, and hop in and out of rough terrain cranes and open-air elevators at building sites (all in the same day), then consider starting your journey towards a career in architecture at community college.
