Career change from Architecture

[shytiger]

Hello all, I'm a 36 year old practicing architect specializing in Institutional, stadiums and entertainment arenas. I have 12 years of experience and have been licensed for over 7 years now. I originally wanted to pursue becoming an orthopedic surgeon after high school, but my parents somehow convinced me not to go that route due to the infamous large student loan balance I'd be taking home... My parents were really big on being debt-free. So I used my small college fund and went to arch school, graduated, did the internship, passed the 9 ARE exams and became my second choice. I have become almost complacent towards my current profession. Most are probably thinking why would you want to switch gears when you are 12 years in and probably making over 6 figures. Show me an architect that takes home six figures and I'll show you pigs that can fly. However, I have heard of a few that own their own practice and do fairly well if they are not overstaffed and can successfully negotiate contracts. This is huge misconception from the general public's standpoint...Doctors, lawyers and architects.

They say the only thing worse than failure is the regret. My question to anyone out there is #1...am I to old to even think about starting something that will most likely take 14 years to accomplish? #2...is there other folks like me from outside of the medical field that have made such a drastic career change, and were successful.


I am married and have no kids and my wife works.



Thank you and I appreciate any input,
ST🙂

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[Achalasia]

Hello all, I'm a 36 year old practicing architect specializing in Institutional, stadiums and entertainment arenas. I have 12 years of experience and have been licensed for over 7 years now. I originally wanted to pursue becoming an orthopedic surgeon after high school, but my parents somehow convinced me not to go that route due to the infamous large student loan balance I'd be taking home... My parents were really big on being debt-free. So I used my small college fund and went to arch school, graduated, did the internship, passed the 9 ARE exams and became my second choice. I have become almost complacent towards my current profession. Most are probably thinking why would you want to switch gears when you are 12 years in and probably making over 6 figures. Show me an architect that takes home six figures and I'll show you pigs that can fly. However, I have heard of a few that own their own practice and do fairly well if they are not overstaffed and can successfully negotiate contracts. This is huge misconception from the general public's standpoint...Doctors, lawyers and architects.

They say the only thing worse than failure is the regret. My question to anyone out there is #1...am I to old to even think about starting something that will most likely take 14 years to accomplish? #2...is there other folks like me from outside of the medical field that have made such a drastic career change, and were successful.


I am married and have no kids and my wife works.



Thank you and I appreciate any input,
ST🙂

1. No. You are not too old.
2. Many people have changed careers to pursue a successful career in medicine.

 

[DrMidlife]

I started working towards med school at age 38, after 15 years of software engineering. I'll matriculate in a DO school this summer at age 42.

Medical training is about the longest & hardest imaginable path to a new career. I think the best advice I've received is "if there's anything else you'd be happy doing, do the other thing."

One thing I did that is paying big dividends: I read everything. Such as:
- the NYT health section every day
- Iserson's guides (to getting into med school, to getting into residency)
- the MSAR, cover to cover, every time it comes out
- Gevitz on the history of DOs
- med student / resident/ doctor memoirs
- health policy journalism (such as Laurie Garrett)
- SDN, way too much

Other great things to do:
- start volunteering in a hospital or clinic, right away (ER's are fun)
- find doctors who will let you shadow, or who will meet with you over coffee
- find a live premed adviser who can tell his/her heinie from a hole in the ground (this is by far the hardest thing)

I recommend that you make yourself be willing to be talked out of it. If you can't be talked out of it, then go for it.

Best of luck to you, and keep us posted.

 

[coffeebythelake]

No, I don't think you are too old to start med school. However, I think you should do some shadowing just to make sure it is the right thing for you. Its a long, expensive road.

 

[fireflygirl]

ShyTiger - welcome to SDN. DrMidLife said it perfectly and I really have nothing new to add but did want to tell you that I think it's great if you end up going down the medical school path.

I'm a non-trad myself and changed careers and the only last bit of advice I would give you is that if you want this, make sure that nothing stops you. I did really well in UG and had a great job and thought that transitioning into the sciences would be easy and I learned that this was no cake-walk. And some of this process is going to make you learn things about yourself, some of which you never knew and some that you wish you didn't know 😛 And the application process blows and there are moments where you just feel like you've made a mistake - it's all part of the beast. Just stay focused and keep going and you'll do great. I think I'm a stronger and better person because of going through some of that transition and going through the application process alone.

I wish you the very best and hope that you'll keep us posted! 😀

 

[ehofmann75]

Shytiger - I know this thread is a few days old, but I noticed that you are considering leaving architecture for medicine. i was in a similar situation as yours, however, I was not as deeply entrenched in architecture as you are. After working as a researcher for a number of years I decided to go to A-School at age 30. I attended school for 2 years when I realized that the profession was not for me after learning how hard it was to succeed in that field. I was paying $50,000 a year in tuition for a 3 year masters program and I was looking at another 7 years of apprentice work before getting licensed. It was also disheartening to learn that I would be paying off that debt for the rest of my life considering what architects really do make. I agree that there is a huge misconception by the general public regarding architects. They are definitely overworked and underpaid. When you figure in the years of education including the costs I would probably be worse off than most physicians. In the end I realized that I needed to pursue my first passion and put my desire to be an architect to rest. Good luck with your decision.

BTW, you are never too old to do what you love. Look into all the post-bac programs available and apply to the one that fit your needs.

 

[finaaqua]

The oldest person in my post-bacc premed program was in his 50s- the oldest person I know in medical school is in his mid 40s- at the young whipper snapper age of 38, you should be done with med school if you finish premed on schedule by your mid-40s. 😉

 

[gman33]

OP - I agree with most everything above.
Another important step is to figure out how competitive of an applicant you will be. Get copies of your transcripts and figure out your overall and BCPM (bio, chem, physics, math) gpas. I'm guessing you have taken few, if any, of the prereqs.

You are not too old and it can be done, but you need to figure out what is ahead of you. If you have a low gpa, the road might be much longer.
When you find out this info, repost, and you can get some advice about how to proceed.

I'd say to start volunteering at an ER or something similar. This will help you figure out if you really want to be a doctor or if you just like the idea of being a doc.

 

[Lacheln]

The only thing I'd add is that I'd say regret is worse than failure, not the other way around.

 

[chomie3]

Hello shytiger,
I am in the same boat as you were. How far with the journey? Could you please let me know?

Regards,
chomie3

 

[kakizaki]

Hi Shytiger and others,

Same position; architecture to possibly med school. I love architecture, its my life right now and I've won some student competitions so I don't suck at it. By the way I'm 22, just graduated BA Arch, not licensed, so this wouldn't be a huge career change as Shytiger. I'll intern in New York for at least a year or so to really decide if I want to stick with it. But I can see myself as a doctor as well...interested in internal medicine....

So here's the thing. I haven't taken ANY math and science courses in college since I received a ton of AP credits from high school. I'm quite math/science minded though and I'm sure I can catch up with practice.

My questions are,

How can I take bio/math/chem coures since I've graduated with a bachelor degree already? I went to University of Washington and so maybe I should go back and take some coures at UW.

Would you recommend SMP? Are there a good programs or an equivalent coursework in NYC where I live?

Another option is going to a community college for the required coursework and studying really really hard for the MCAT.

Any input would be much appreciated!

 

[MarshallW]

Hi Shytiger and others,

Same position; architecture to possibly med school. I love architecture, its my life right now and I've won some student competitions so I don't suck at it. By the way I'm 22, just graduated BA Arch, not licensed, so this wouldn't be a huge career change as Shytiger. I'll intern in New York for at least a year or so to really decide if I want to stick with it. But I can see myself as a doctor as well...interested in internal medicine....

If you love architecture, why switch? I was an architect, and decided to pursue medicine because architecture was extremely unsatisfying for me. I guess interning for a year can't really hurt, but taking post-bacc course-work while architecting would be very hard.

I'm not questioning your motives, but my desire was a bit more than "I can see myself as a doctor". Have you shadowed doctors or volunteered in a hospital?

Before I ran off to architecture school, I shadowed 2 doctors and volunteered in a hospital for a month. I had the taste in my mouth, but for various reason chose architecture. The idea lingered in my head and my heart for almost 8 years until I decided to pull the trigger. It has been a tough road just to get to the bottom of the mountain, but it was the best decision I have ever made.

I think you have to have your basic science requirements completed before you can apply to a SMP. I'm not 100% on that though... there are people here more knowledgeable than I am on the subject.

good luck with whatever you choose

 

[kakizaki]

I'm happy to hear that the switch was a good move for you Marshall. About "I can see myself as a doc", it's very idealistic and I know the profession is not that simplistic. But, isn't that where everyone starts? I can just say I'm very interested in medicine for now. After my move next week I'll probably start volunteering / connecting with doctors to test the waters.

I'd love to hear your story in transitioning. Did you literally start from scratch?

 

[zminnu]

it is of great comfort to me reading your post. Same position as you. I have always been torn between architecture + pre-med. And so I eventually chose architecture, believing it would be a great way to deal with my "multi-interests". I've always performed well in all subjects and liked them all, so I had a hard time choosing what major I wanted to study. For the first several years of architecture school I was somewhat content but I kept thinking "what if?". By the time that I've reached my thesis year and have interned a few times, the thought kept pounding in my mind. Now that I've finally graduated in June with a B.Arch and now interning... I am hesitant whether I should make the move and get all my pre-reqs done to do the MCATs... I am also in the process of getting my volunteer app for our local hospital. Parts of me feel a little torn, and I am still a little hesitant to make the move and be pre-med. Right now I have a job, and if I were to pursue these pre-med classes bio/org chem/ chem, I would need to quit. My local community colleges in the Bay Area only offer day classes. My dilemma is, if I want to take these courses I would have to quit my internship. And I dont know if I truly want to go in the medical direction. I guess my true dilemma is having the courage to make the change. I feel like I'm just blabbing, but anyhows, I am really glad to have found this forum, knowing that I'm not alone. Hope to hear any of you guys' thoughts, updates, etc.

 

[benjamin1984]

I'm glad I stumbled across this thread. I'm in the UK and just about to finish my last year at university training to be an architectural technologist. Although I enjoy it and find the subject interesting, I failed to get any placements and I seriously doubt that I would ever find employment in the field of architecture. I'm 28 and considering finishing the undegraduate, taking the chemisty A level and applying to med school or a profession allied to medicine. It seems like we need to lead a thousand lives to know what we want to do (or rather what we want to do and can find employment doing it!)

 

[member407704]

Same boat as you all. I'm graduating with a BA in Architecture from WashU in one year (May 2013). I've had two internships (currently doing summer one) and these experiences have really helped me make the decision to move. I will always appreciate architecture and design, but in the end I want to do something where I can interact/ help people more directly. I just made the decision to switch to pre-med, so it's a little scary to face all the pre-med requirements, but I'm signed up for gen chem next semester as well as doing research at an oncology lab, volunteering at the local hospital, and shadowing doctors! I'm so excited to move forward with this path.

 

[adriantada]

it is of great comfort to me reading your post. Same position as you. I have always been torn between architecture + pre-med. And so I eventually chose architecture, believing it would be a great way to deal with my "multi-interests". I've always performed well in all subjects and liked them all, so I had a hard time choosing what major I wanted to study. For the first several years of architecture school I was somewhat content but I kept thinking "what if?". By the time that I've reached my thesis year and have interned a few times, the thought kept pounding in my mind. Now that I've finally graduated in June with a B.Arch and now interning... I am hesitant whether I should make the move and get all my pre-reqs done to do the MCATs... I am also in the process of getting my volunteer app for our local hospital. Parts of me feel a little torn, and I am still a little hesitant to make the move and be pre-med. Right now I have a job, and if I were to pursue these pre-med classes bio/org chem/ chem, I would need to quit. My local community colleges in the Bay Area only offer day classes. My dilemma is, if I want to take these courses I would have to quit my internship. And I dont know if I truly want to go in the medical direction. I guess my true dilemma is having the courage to make the change. I feel like I'm just blabbing, but anyhows, I am really glad to have found this forum, knowing that I'm not alone. Hope to hear any of you guys' thoughts, updates, etc.

same boat like most of you guys. just got into M.arch last year into Columbia and now I have cold feet and don't know if i should commit to Columbia (expensive) and decide to quite half way....

so scared right now.

 

[Einthoven]

What are your stats like? And what prereqs have you taken?

 

[inetfree180]

It's never too late to pursue your true passion. I salute you for chasing after your dreams! 🙂

 

[freshveg]

Shytiger, did you switch? I has been a few years...

I am considering making the same move. I'm a 30 year old architect, have been licensed in NY for 2 years and working for 6 years. After 20+ buildings (great public projects like schools, hospitals, etc), and volunteering with AIA, I still feel as if I've done nothing in life. I became an architect for humanitarian reasons but I just don't feel like I'm making a difference. I want more interaction with people, to help them directly. I hope this would bring the sense of fulfillment I'm seeking. I've always been super passionate about health and I'm fascinated by science. Getting in somewhere would be a huge challenge as my arch gpa is only 2.9(though from a top school), so I would have to do a second bachelor's first to improve my gpa. I'm still working as an architect, but I'm starting to take preparatory steps like volunteering. It's encouraging to hear that others have done the same.

 

[sockit]

Not too old, no! If you got through that obstacle course, when you weren't even 100% into it, I'm sure you've got the mental toughness to make it.

That said, in the spirit of this:

I recommend that you make yourself be willing to be talked out of it. If you can't be talked out of it, then go for it.

I know little about what you actually deal with, but I feel that healthy communities/environments are where it's at, in terms of protective factors for many of the ailments that get people into hospital. What used to be thought of as radical ideas are starting to be seriously entertained. The soul-killing McSuburb in which I grew up has committed to retrofits, & more pedestrian & cycle paths, under the very mayor who razed some of the most fertile land on the continent. Many cities are demonstrating acceptance, even encouragement of urban agriculture. Planners & councillors recognize (finally!) that walkable, human-scale cities are vital in maintaining seniors' independence, activity, engagement, & community (which as you know help prevent CV probs, dementias, etc), & developing those in children. With rising gas prices and bankrupt cities comes the possibility of risk-takers' innovations taking root. These are not easy times -- what a privilege to have the power and knowledge to make them lighter, better. If contributing to this kind of change is something you could be a part of, I think that's pretty amazing*.

I have no idea what the reality of working towards this sort of thing is like, obviously. Can say that I've lived for good bouts of time in 5 cities, which is not so many, but enough to recognize the impact of my surroundings on my quality of life, which I know is tremendous.

*But if you would hate every minute of it, that would not be amazing. You've just got the one life, and I'm not living it, so, just wish you luck in working it out.

***

Every career has its crappy side. Most people I know who are mid-career are bored, frustrated or have just lost enthusiasm. People who've done face-to-face service work are burned out & want to make change happen at the level of policy. People who've surfed bureaucracies all their lives want the satisfaction of reward for effort they don't get in board-room meetings. It is a treat to do what you're good at and like every day (say those I know who do). Idk, it's a tough calculation. (I had nothing to lose, so deciding to go back to school was easy for me.)

 

[MedOldAge]

Sockit, you know this is a 2008 thread, right?

 

[sockit]

Sockit, you know this is a 2008 thread, right?

Ha! I do now 😳

I wonder what OP's doing in 2013.

 

[MedOldAge]

Ha! I do now 😳

I wonder what OP's doing in 2013.

OP didn't respond to any comments and I assume he moved on in life. Non tradition is very challenging. The journey to medicine is very rough in terms of financial and family responsibility especially when you are hitting high 30s and low 40s.

 

[freshveg]

Sockit,
Thanks a lot for the positive spin on architecture. What you mentioned are exactly the reasons I went into it. I wasn't getting any satisfaction that I actually did anything meaningful though. It became very depressing having the slow realization that I was nothing more than a slave making drawings, and that if I continued on that path I would do nothing with my life. The chance to actually make some positive change, in a profession riddled by extremely low profitability, abusive clients and dishonest contractors is near impossible. Some can do it, but they focus on non profit work and make even less money. Other than those factors, I felt it was not a good fit for my personality. I really need much more interaction with people, and less time from idea to fruition (anything less than 3 years would be amazing!), and I've always been fascinated by health. Strangely, no one in architecture appreciated my lifestyle of healthy eating, environmentalism and daily exercise. Personal lifestyle does have a relationship to your environment, but they didn't see it that way. Everyone thought I was crazy for that! Helping a person, any person, to get better in a relatively short period of time would be an absolute joy.