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Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval is the O*NET name for people who plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property. The skills rated most useful are critical thinking, operations analysis, and speaking. A regular part of the work is to prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools. On the six-type interest model it reads RCA, meaning hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world comes first, followed by orderly work with data, records and clear procedures. Getting in usually takes graduate school and often five years or more of related experience, a level O*NET calls extensive preparation. It tends to suit people who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, and it offers little for anyone seeking helping, teaching or caring for people.

What they do

Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.

Main tasks

  • Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools.
  • Plan or design structures such as residences, office buildings, theatres, factories, or other structural properties in accordance with environmental, safety, or other regulations.
  • Meet with clients to review or discuss architectural drawings.
  • Prepare contract documents for building contractors.
  • Develop final construction plans that include aesthetic representations of the structure or details for its construction.
  • Conduct periodic on-site observations of construction work to monitor compliance with plans.

Skills

  • Critical Thinking
  • Operations Analysis
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Writing

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You are prepared for graduate-level study and a long training path.
  • You are comfortable relying on critical thinking and operations analysis.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want to be working in the field within the next few years.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCA takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Extensive preparation. Many jobs here need graduate study, and people often spend five years or more building specialist experience.

Also called

  • Architect
  • Architectural Designer
  • Design Architect
  • Planner
  • Project Architect

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.