Architects use their skills in design, engineering, managing and coordinating to create aesthetically pleasing, safe buildings that serve a purpose. They’re artists, but instead of a canvas, they use cities, parks and college campuses to display their work. Their masterpieces are the shops, libraries, office buildings and grocery stores that surround us. Architects are involved in every step of a project, from the initial planning sessions to the ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

Jordan Goldstein, co-firm managing principal at architectural firm Gensler, was practicing to become an architect at age 5. At the time, his parents were house hunting, and they’d bring him along to see the different options. After the visits, Goldstein would return to his Legos – he had buckets of them – and recreate what he had seen. "Ever since that point, I was looking for the quickest path to becoming an architect and building things," he writes in an email.

Architects demonstrate a blend of creativity and practicality. They are artists grounded in reality. After all, most Lego lovers will tell you that a firm foundation is a necessary component of a soaring skyscraper.

One of the most significant advances in architecture is digital design and building information modeling, Goldstein writes. "3D models are now layered with information and the models themselves are actually databases on the design that can be utilized for construction, facility management and energy management," he explains. "With the growing usage of digital printing, architects are quickly able to study the 3D implications of design ideas and mature the project. The understanding of computational design is allowing architects to move right from design to fabrication, leaping over the more conventional aspects of the design process and expedite construction."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.8% employment growth for architects between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 6,000 jobs should open up.

To practice in most states, architects need a bachelor’s degree from a school of architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Bachelor’s degree programs in architecture are five-year programs, and a master’s degree, which many architects also pursue, takes anywhere from one to five years to complete. Upon graduation, students must complete a training period or internship, which typically lasts about three years.

Only after the training period is complete are you eligible to sit for the Architect Registration Exam. After passing this exam, you will have to obtain a state-specific license. And to maintain licensure in most states, you’re expected to keep up with continuing education standards.