Becoming a professional architect is an appealing dream for many. Not only does it pay well, but it also provides endless challenges to overcome. There’s always something new to learn, always a new skill to develop, and always new projects to work on.
Not everyone has what it takes to become an architect. Not only does it require many years of education and internship, but there are certain skills that a person will need to learn before they can truly consider a career in architecture.
A Knack For Design
There’s a lot that goes into the creation of a building, and it all starts with the architect. The architect is the person that draws up the sketches for what the building might become, and they will have to make it as appealing as possible for the client.
Anyone can draw a square building, but it takes a skilled and passionate architect to take their creativity and flare for design to make it into something that lands them the job. It’s such a vital aspect of an architect’s career that without a natural eye for design, it would be virtually impossible for an architect to find themselves a job.
Legal Knowledge
Over the last century, there have been a lot of different legal codes devised. This is to ensure that buildings are safe for people to inhabit; that it’s being built with the right permissions; that the building meets certain criteria in terms of where it’s being built.
Ultimately an architect will need to be quite familiar with the laws pertaining to buildings in the area that they are working. Sometimes it’s necessary to seek the assistance of a professional surveyor, but it’s still highly advised to have a solid foundational knowledge of the legalities of building in a specific area.
Good With Numbers
Design and creativity are important, but anyone hoping to get away with just those two skills might not be able to become a successful architect if they also aren’t extremely good with numbers. Mathematics plays a crucial role in the design of a building, and an architect will need to be intimately familiar with several mathematical concepts, including algebra, geometry, conversions, and even budgeting can be important.
Mathematics is going to be a part of every single step of the process, and it will be a necessary skill to acquire, but it can also help in other areas of life, such as personal budgeting or getting good numbers off of the latest 2022 World Cup odds.
Communication
Architects never work alone, and sometimes they will have to interact with dozens of people in a single day. Being able to communicate clearly and efficiently in a professional manner is another skill that an architect will need to have if they want to find any kind of real success.
This means that this might not be the best career choice for introverts unless they’re willing to work on their communication skills. The success of a project often rests on how well and architect communicates with his peers.
