2024 – ~20 YEARS AFTER THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Below is a link to the initial survey from the University of Michigan Class of 1984 20 years after their graduation.
https://www.archcareersguide.com/20-years-after-graduation/
Using the above as inspiration, we surveyed students from the University of Maryland 20 years after their taking a careers course.
Did you know where you would be 20 years after you left the University of Maryland? Certainly, most graduates would agree that they had no clue to their answer to this question when walking across the stage to receive their degree.
However, what is the actual answer? Given that it had been 20 years since two years of the Maryland course – ARCH478C – Careers in Architecture, we sought to determine what the Maryland graduates were doing.
Using class rosters and LinkedIn, I sent a brief survey to the 2004 / 2005 students of the BS degree (n=25) in Spring 2004 / 2005, almost 20 years to the day of our graduation in April 1984. The total number of students in the two courses equaled 32 but email addresses were not available for seven of the students.
Questions asked related to their further education, training, architectural registration, career field, and experience since graduation.
Of those 25 surveyed, 12 (48%) returned a survey by the stated deadline.
Education – Of those returning the survey, nine (n=9, 75%) sought additional education beyond the B.S. degree from Maryland. As you might expect, the clear majority (n=8, 89%) had obtained a Master of Architecture; the other degrees pursued were a Master of Environmental Management and Master of City and Regional Planning by the same graduate.
Schools – only three of the eight (n=3, 38%) pursued the graduate degree in architecture at Maryland; other institutions included Lawrence Tech. Univ., Rhode Island School of Design, Syracuse U, Univ. of Utah, and University of Washington.
Registration – Seven (n=7, 58.3%) of the 12 indicated they were presently licensed as an architect. Most were licensed in a single state while the remaining were licensed from three to five states. One was licensed in 14 states and the District of Columbia.
Career Field – When asked to list their present career field(s), one half (n=6, 50%) indicated Architecture. Other career fields listed included: Fire Protection Engineering and Life Safety, Design and Construction Project Management, Real Estate, Architecture and Planning (Campus Planning), Public Art and Experiential Design and Affordable Housing Development
Advice – As a final ending to the survey, I inquired if the students had any advice for others wishing to become an architect. A common response was to share how an architectural degree prepares one for several career paths. Ironically, this advice proves true, as nearly one-third of the students pursued a career field outside architecture.
There are so many tangential career paths for which your architectural training/degree will equip you.
It is a hard job but can be very satisfying if you find your niche.
There are so many tangential career paths for which your architectural training/degree will equip you.
Actively pursue the career path you want.
Do not be afraid to chart your own path.
Embrace a sense of wonder for the world around you, as it will inspire your designs and deepen your understanding of the intricate relationships between nature and built spaces.
An architecture degree and experience will you give skills that make you an asset in other fields.
So, what will you be doing 20 years after your degree from Maryland?