Architecture and construction comprise one of the largest industries in the U.S. There are a wide variety of challenging opportunities in this field. Students will need a solid foundation in math, science, and technical skills.

Architect - Architects design buildings and other structures. Buildings must be not only attractive, but also safe and functional. Architects may be involved in all phases of development, from the first discussion with the client through construction. They may also help the client in getting construction bids and selecting contractors. Architects sometimes specialize in the design of one type of building, such as skyscrapers or homes. Architects may have their own independent practice or work for a large firm. Visual orientation and the ability to understand spatial relationships is a necessity for anyone interested in becoming an architect. Knowledge of CAD and computers is also important. Artistic and drawing ability is helpful, but not essential. English, mathematics, drafting, history and art are good subjects to take in school. Architects must be licensed before they can practice. In order to get a license: 1) You need a degree in architecture. Courses include architectural theory, building design, math, and science. 2) You must finish an internship. 3) Finally, you must pass all sections of a license exam.

Drafter - Drafters make drawings and plans which are then used to build things. They often work for architectural and engineering firms. Some plans show how to make objects like toys, toasters, and machinery. Some plans are for larger things like houses and office buildings. These plans show how the building will look and how to build it. The drawings that drafters make are very specific. They show measurements, materials, and instructions. The drawings show the beams that hold up the building. They show the air-conditioner, furnace, and ventilating systems. The drawings show how the electricity and plumbing work. Today, more and more drafters are using computer drafting programs. Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CAD) systems let drafters make changes easily. Some drafters also draw with pencils and protractors for certain tasks such as rough sketches. There are many different types of drafters: Aeronautical drafters make drawings of aircraft, missiles, and their parts. Architectural drafters make drawings of buildings, such as houses or factories. Civil drafters make drawings used for highways, bridges, and other major construction. Electrical drafters make drawings of electrical equipment and wiring. Electronics drafters make drawings used to make, install, and repair electronics. Mechanical drafters make drawings of machinery. Process piping or pipeline drafters make drawings used in oil and gas fields, chemical plants, and other pipe systems. Drafters need skills in math, science, engineering, and drawing. It is also important to know how to use computers and CAD systems. Being good at teamwork and problem solving also helps.

Landscape Architect - Landscape architects make outdoor places more beautiful and useful. They work with architects, surveyors, and engineers to find the best place to put roads and buildings. They work with environmental scientists to find the best way to conserve or restore natural resources. They decide where to put flowers, trees, walkways, and other landscape details in parks, playgrounds, college campuses, sports fields, shopping centers, and backyards. Landscape architects must first consider the reason for a project. They analyze the nature around the place where they are working. They think about the weather, the kind of soil, the hills, the water, and the plants that are there. They see where sunlight falls at different times. They also look at existing buildings, roads, and walkways. Then, landscape architects draw what they want the landscape to look like. Most landscape architects draw their plans using computers and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems. Landscape architects also use geographic information systems (GIS) to decide exactly where plants and other things should be. Once the design is complete, landscape architects write reports. They also make sketches, models, and photographs to explain their ideas. Many architects use video simulation to help clients see what the land will look like when the plans are finished. They also need to estimate how much their ideas will cost. Then, they have to get clients and governments to agree with their ideas. Next, landscape architects draw up a list of needed materials. Then, they tell other workers how to do the planting and construction shown in the design. Some landscape architects work on all kinds of projects. Others focus on one specific kind of outdoor place such as parks, or the land along highways. Landscape architects also work on projects to help the environment or to fix historic places. Nearly all states require landscape architects to be licensed or registered. That means they have to pass a test after getting a college degree in landscape architecture or a related field. This is a good career for people who like architecture as well as nature. People in this job enjoy working with their hands, spending time outdoors, being creative and artistic. Desirable courses include botany, art and drawing. Students also need math to learn how to make good measurements.

Building Contractor - Contractors oversee the construction of buildings. They plan, budget and direct the project. Contractors are responsible for scheduling and meeting deadlines. They may hire workers and arrange for other companies to work on a construction project. Contractors work with many different people on a daily basis. It is important to have practical industry experience in a construction craft such as carpentry, plumbing or masonry in addition to a degree in construction or building science. Leadership and communication skills are also critical. Courses in mathematics, business, science, statistics, drafting, physics, chemistry and shop classes will be helpful.

Carpenter - Carpenters build many things such as buildings, bookcases, and boats from wood and other materials. They construct, erect, install, and repair structures and other fixtures. To do this, they cut, fit, and join various materials together. Carpenters who work for a special trade contractor may do only one or two things, like cabinetmaking or house framing. A carpenter may also work for a general building contractor. This carpenter performs many tasks, including putting in doors and windows, hanging kitchen cabinets, and installing floors and ceilings. Carpenters need to be good with their hands and have good eye-hand coordination. They should also be strong, physically fit, and have a good sense of balance. Most carpenters follow the same basic steps when getting ready for a job. They must lay out or design the project. Design includes measuring, marking, and arranging materials. The carpenter then cuts and shapes the material. Carpenters use different hand and power tools, such as chisels, saws, and drills. Finally, the carpenter joins the items together with nails, staples, or glue. They use rulers or framing squares to increase the accuracy of their work. When working with ready-made parts, such as stairs or parts of walls, the carpenter's job is easier. A carpenter may install these parts all at one time. Some carpenters repair desks and cabinets, put in doors and windows, change locks, and repair broken furniture. In a factory, carpenters may help move or install machinery. Carpenters can learn their work by apprentice training on the job, but most carpenters learn their skills in school or through formal training programs. Carpenters need to learn many things including basic design, specific job skills, use of tools and machines, safety and first aid. They practice drawing and apply math too. Carpenters need to be able to solve basic math problems quickly. New and improved tools make the job of a carpenter more flexible. Therefore, carpenters with the latest equipment and all-around skills tend to work on the better projects. Related jobs include: brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, stucco masons, cement masons, concrete finishers, plumbers and pipefitters.

CAD Designer - CAD Designers make drafts or drawings using computer-aided design (CAD) tools. Some work in more than one area, but most specialize in a specific area. For example, commercial and industrial designers develop products like toys and furniture. Besides having a creative eye for color and detail, CAD Designers also need problem-solving skills and must be good with computers. Most CAD designers need formal training after high school, and access to up-to-date computer equipment. Industrial and commercial designers usually get a degree in architecture or engineering. See also: Drafter.

Civil Engineer - This is one of the most common and oldest types of engineering. Civil engineers design things such as roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, water supply and sewage systems. They also fix and replace buildings and roads that have become old, unsafe, and worn out. They must consider many factors in their designs, from the costs to making sure the structure will stay intact during bad weather. A civil engineer may oversee a construction site or be a city engineer. Others may work in design, construction, and research. There are many specialties within civil engineering, such as structural, construction, environment, and transportation. Civil engineers usually work in areas that are industry and business centers, or travel to construction sites. A bachelor's degree in engineering is needed for almost all entry-level engineering jobs. College grads with a degree in a science or mathematics may get some jobs. A civil engineer must get a license from the State to offer services directly to the public. A license requires four years of relevant work experience and passing an exam. Beginning engineers often work under an experienced engineer to get their required work experience. Engineers should be creative, curious, analytical, and detail-oriented. They should be able to work as part of a team. People skills are important. This is because engineers often work with people in a wide range of fields. College courses include math, science, engineering, the arts, and social sciences. In the last two years of college, students will specialize mostly in a single branch of engineering.

Regional Planner - Regional planners help make decisions on the ways a region, such as a city or county, should grow and change. They will look at traffic, air pollution, and where businesses and homes are located. They work with builders to make sure structures are built properly. For example, in some areas the planner must make sure buildings are at a high enough elevation so that they won't get flooded. Knowing the history of the region helps planners in their job. Regional planners work with elected officials to make decisions which can affect social, economic and environmental issues. Familiarity with computer models, mapping, and statistical techniques is necessary as well as courses in architecture, law, earth sciences, geography, economics, finance, and management. Most government jobs require a master’s degree in urban and regional planning. Some entry-level jobs in urban design, traffic, or the environment require a bachelor’s degree from a planning program coupled with a master’s degree in architecture, landscape architecture, or civil engineering.

Interior Designer - Interior designers plan the interiors of places like homes, offices, hospitals, and hotels. They plan how furniture will be placed inside buildings. They also plan the colors, curtains, lighting, pictures and other details. These plans are based on their clients' needs and tastes. Interior designers often work closely with architects. Interior design is the only design field for which a license is required. It requires the completion of three or four years of postsecondary education in design, at least two years of practical experience in the field, and passage of the National Council for Interior Design qualification examination. Membership in a professional association such as the American Society for Interior Designers is also important. There are also merchandise displayers and window dressers, or visual merchandisers, who plan and set up windows and interiors of retail stores. Set and exhibit designers create sets for movie, television, and theater productions.

Industrial Designer - Industrial designers combine the fields of art, business, and engineering to design the products that people use every day. In fact, these designers are responsible for the style, function, quality, and safety of almost every manufactured good. Usually designers specialize in one particular product category, such as automobiles and other transportation vehicles, appliances, technology goods, medical equipment, furniture, toys, tools and construction equipment, or housewares. When creating a new design, designers often begin by researching the product user or the context in which the product will be used. They ascertain desired product characteristics, such as size, shape, weight, color, materials used, cost, ease of use, fit, and safety. Next, designers prepare conceptual sketches or diagrams—by hand or with the aid of a computer—to illustrate their vision of the product. After conducting research and consulting with a creative director or other members of the product development team, designers then create detailed sketches or renderings using computer-aided design (CAD) tools. Computer models make it easier to adjust designs and to experiment with a greater number of alternatives, speeding and improving the design process. Industrial designers who work for manufacturing firms also use computer-aided industrial design (CAID) tools to create designs and machine-readable instructions that can direct automated production tools to build the designed product to exact specifications. Industrial designers present the designs and prototypes to their client or managers and incorporate any changes and suggestions. They often work with engineers, accountants, and cost estimators to determine if a product can be made safer, easier to assemble or use, or cheaper to manufacture. Before a product is completed and manufactured, the designers may participate in usability and safety tests, watching consumers use prototypes and then making adjustments based on those observations. Creativity and technical knowledge are crucial in this occupation. People in this field must have a strong sense of the aesthetic—an eye for color and detail and a sense of balance and proportion. Employers expect new designers to know computer-aided design software, but despite the advancement of this software, sketching ability remains important. Designers must also understand the technical aspects of how products function. Designers must be imaginative and persistent and must be able to communicate their ideas visually, verbally, and in writing. Because tastes and styles can change quickly, designers need to be well read, open to new ideas and influences, and quick to react to changing trends. Problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and under pressure also are important traits. People in this field need self-discipline to start projects on their own, to budget their time, and to meet deadlines and production schedules.

Structural Engineer - They analyze, plan, and research structural components and structural systems to achieve design goals while ensuring the safety and comfort of users or occupants. They may also consider aesthetic, environmental, and social factors. Then having chosen appropriate materials - such as steel, brick, concrete or timber - they design the structure and make all the necessary checks and calculations to ensure that the foundations will be sound, that the floors and roof will not fall down, and that the construction as a whole will remain safe and serviceable for the length of its intended lifetime. Structural engineers are involved in the design and supervision of the construction of all kinds of structures such as houses, theatres, sports stadiums, hospitals, bridges, oil rigs, space satellites, and office buildings. Entry-level structural engineers may design the individual structural elements of a structure, for example the beams, columns, and floors of a building. More experienced engineers would be responsible for the structural design and integrity of an entire system, such as a building. Structural engineers often specialize in particular fields, such as bridge engineering, building engineering, pipeline engineering, industrial structures, or special mechanical structures such as vehicles, aircraft, or spacecraft. Structural engineering has existed since humans first started to construct their own structures. The first structural engineer in history known by name was Imhotep who built the step pyramid for Pharaoh Djoser in 2700 BC. It became a more defined and formalized profession with the emergence of the architecture profession as distinct from the engineering profession during the industrial revolution in the late 19th Century. Until then, the architect and the structural engineer were often one and the same - the master builder. The role of a structural engineer today involves a significant understanding of both static and dynamic loading, and the structures that are available to resist them. The complexity of modern structures often requires a great deal of creativity from the engineer in order to ensure the structures support and resist the loads they are subjected to. A structural engineer will typically have a four or five year undergraduate degree, followed by a minimum of three years of professional practice before being considered fully qualified. Depending on the degree course they have studied and/or the jurisdiction in which they are working, they may be accredited (or licensed) as just structural engineers, or as civil engineers, or as both civil and structural engineers.

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