Architects/Architecture Graduates: Should we really take the apprenticeship?

[HARE]

I graduated last year and currently employed in an Architecture firm. However, I have been bothered by the different tales my officemates told me about how some of their batchmates didn't actually work in architecture firms or took the 2 years required apprenticeship but still managed to pass the board exam- well, of course they faked the log-book.

The idea is currently totally wrecking my focus right now because I am finally experiencing the "self-pity" of a "way-below-minimum" wage worker; I can't even buy a shirt from my salary. For sure you guys know what I mean- the overwork, cheap compensation, no benefits even the basic SSS most especially for those who work in really small firms.

My situation is that, I've had several opportunities outside archi firms but still archi related which I turned down the past months, about 3 or 4 job offers.

Now, I think one is about to come. It's in however steel detailing and it offers a good compensation and a promising carreer. But I still have plans to take the board...

Which way to forward?

[Countez]

if you think you have more opportunities now, what more when you get your license? be patient na lang. I didn't cheat on my log book, and even if i can, natakot ako na what if mahuli ako ng board na hindi totoo yung log book ko. i can be banned from taking the board exams. besides, there's a reason why you need the diversified experience. mas madali rin makakuha ng bagong work with that kind of experience.
saang firm ka ba? try mo sa PRSP, office in makati near buendia. you'll have the training and they offer good compensation. and they send their employees to dubai, kahit wala ka pang license.

[jean_grey]

wag na magself-pity. think of it as futher broadening your knowledge. syempre may natututuhan ka pa rin while you're an apprentice. hanap ka na lang ng malupit na arkitekto na pag-aaprentice-an para malupit din yung matutunan mo. hehe :p i know someone who worked na taga-cad lang pero he was top2 sa board exams! :D

[rem_koolhaas]

thats the reality in the Arki profession, you spent five years to get your degree.. so why not invest two to three years more to get your experience? if you can ask your parents to extend your allowance, the better.. whats important right now is that you are (hopefully) getting good training from a good firm..

the construction industry is improving, meaning maraming projects, design firms are busy so their design and production staff are occupied. more overtime work means bigger overtime pay.

bata ka pa naman so you have the resistance for the stress.

[HARE]

The bad thing is that our family is in our first ever serious financial crisis...and it's really making me think twice...

[Jeffreyw]

If you want a decent pay arki-related job, try applying in a foreign-based firms and dont hesitate to ask a 15k or above salary.

I have a friend who used to work as one of the marketing staffs in a foreign-based construction firm and she earned 20k a month - outmatched the architects' and engineers' salary ranging from 10 to 15k.

--
www.Gwapito.com

[HARE]

Here's my situation right now...last Monday I got accepted...this is it...it is a Japanese Construction firm in Ayala...I was asked to report on Monday and I must take my Physical exams on Sat morning...the problem is, I still can't decide? Should I put my future at a big stake?

The job would be in steel detailing...after a year or so if you perform well you will be sent to Japan for 3-month training.

THey asked me how much I want..parang ang baba nung hiningi ko...below 10k when they offered me employment they even added 500 pesos..hehe that was funny...

The Japanese guy who I think was one among the superiors in the office was the last to interview me...although i can't clearly understand his english I heard him say "I rayk you, I want yo wuurrk hir" hehe talking about how I performed in my written and CAD exams...I did pretty well the reason I think why they hire me immediately...

I haven't told my boss yet not even to any of my officemates..I don't know what to do...my plan is to call them tomorrow and ask for a 1-week extension..meaning I'd probably join them next monday..while looking at the options ofcourse...and then mid next week I'll inform them if I'll push through or not...

I would like sana to ask mga architects around here...is there a future ba in architecture? I'm not that passionate about the art/science but I think I'm okay naman...actually ang career path na gusto ko tunguin sa field ng archi is to be an expert Architectural Detailer...not really designer...so ano?

[SUX2BÜ]

HARE, it is not about where to go, but how to get there. Gather all the experience, training, and relationships that you can have along the way. The things that have been going around you right now are just signals to the start of something big for you. Doing steel detailing, though not the thing that you really want to do, might lead to digital archiving of renderings to doing three-dimensional visualization work to architectural detailer. Like in most cases, as you start the "professional race", it is not about the job title, the money you earn, or the name of the company, but the experience and relationships you will gain that will fully equip you professionally and emotionally as they open up more attractive opportunities.

Good luck.

:)

[HARE]

you know what SUX2BU I should have read your post earlier..I already sent my explanation through e-mail why I am turning down the job...so I think it's too late...you made an excellent point that could have sent me going to a new place of work on monday...

I have consulted a lot of friends..high school..college...etc..

My high school classmates told me not to accept the job, simply because of this arguement: If you're getting all these opportunity now that you're not yet licensed what more if you are already? What is a year of waiting?...(I will be eligible to take the exams on june 2008...)

My college classmates told me to accept the job, because of this statement...grab all the opportunities that come your way, it doesn't mean that if you're in a real Architecture firm you learn as much as what you can learn from other kinds of firm...

My other side says: Hey man stick to it...Stick to the firm, take the board, get your lisence and then go on your way, wherever you want. That way you will not regret why you never took the board and got a lisence...

My other side says: Hey man, move on...after all you don't really want to be a designer, you just want to be an expert detailer which is very much alike to being a steel detailer...If you get this job you will be more stable...you will be able to buy all the stuff you want from f&h and you will be able to get a line from globe or smart, and give a little help to your family..hehe

Haha...too many echos inside my head...but i guess i made the decision so...bahala na!

[rodriguez]

It was ok that you declined their offer. For less than 10k(??????) a month you might have given yourself a position that you probably didn't like in the first place. Steel detailing is engineering & not an architect's job, for someone who spent 5 years in college to be an architect what kind of experience do you think are you going to get from engineering? If you want to be an architectural detailer & not a designer there is nothing wrong with that, I work in an architectural firm & not everyone in our office has the ability to put together a good design thats why they do other things. I know a guy from another firm who does architectural detailing exclusively & he gets a very handsome paycheck because he specializes. The important thing, in my opinion is your self-gratification, how you take pride in what you do & I guess everything else will follow. By the way if you're in financial crisis why not try going overeas?

On topic: I didn't necessarily go throu the apprenticeship(my bad), but at the time I graduated I really really wanted to go abroad (syempre for the big bucks!), like you I wanted to get the registration over & done with that's why I had to get some people to help me out with my log book.