[gasguzzler]

Hey Guys, I’m strongly considering a career change but cannot decide which direction I want to go. Currently I’m in the architecture field and have been doing what I’m doing for 10 years. For those that don’t know, architects are the least paid of the professional degrees. Architects in my area max out around $75,000 to $80,000 per year. On a per-hour basis, teachers make more then architects do. I’ve been working my ass off for 10 years and have reached the maximum anyone will pay me for my position. I’ve been job hunting for the last month and no one is willing to pay me more then what I’m making now simply because they can find someone to do it for less.

I’m ready to go to school for a graduate degree but want to make sure the field I choose has the potential for $150,000 per year or more. Also, I don’t mind going back and getting two degrees if I have to.

Now, my question is, upon graduation, or within a few years of graduation, what field will allow me to make the money I’m looking for? I chose architecture in the mid 90’s because I was young and idealistic and wanted to create change with my designs. Now that I’m a little older and know that it doesn’t work like that, I want to go back to school for the money potential.

I can do just about anything, but there are two areas I don’t want to do. I don’t want to be a lawyer simply because I don’t like lawyers (who does until you need one, right), and I don’t want to be a doctor because I have a wife and 3 kids and I do enjoy time with them (although I almost went into med-school before architecture).

So, any other suggestions? Should I get an MBA? Banking and Finance? IT? CS? Let me know what you guys think.

[Rinksterk]

Finance and banking all sound good. Accounting as well.
I got into accounting because of the $ but I realize I hate it now. You have mouths to feed so it will be different.

[gasguzzler]

Originally Posted by Rinksterk

Finance and banking all sound good. Accounting as well.
I got into accounting because of the $ but I realize I hate it now. You have mouths to feed so it will be different.

When you decided to go into accounting, did you love it at first and then realize you hated it or did you know you wouldn't like it but still did it for the money?

[Cow Pie]

Originally Posted by gasguzzler

Hey Guys, I’m strongly considering a career change but cannot decide which direction I want to go. Currently I’m in the architecture field and have been doing what I’m doing for 10 years. For those that don’t know, architects are the least paid of the professional degrees. Architects in my area max out around $75,000 to $80,000 per year. On a per-hour basis, teachers make more then architects do. I’ve been working my ass off for 10 years and have reached the maximum anyone will pay me for my position. I’ve been job hunting for the last month and no one is willing to pay me more then what I’m making now simply because they can find someone to do it for less.

I’m ready to go to school for a graduate degree but want to make sure the field I choose has the potential for $150,000 per year or more. Also, I don’t mind going back and getting two degrees if I have to.

Now, my question is, upon graduation, or within a few years of graduation, what field will allow me to make the money I’m looking for? I chose architecture in the mid 90’s because I was young and idealistic and wanted to create change with my designs. Now that I’m a little older and know that it doesn’t work like that, I want to go back to school for the money potential.

I can do just about anything, but there are two areas I don’t want to do. I don’t want to be a lawyer simply because I don’t like lawyers (who does until you need one, right), and I don’t want to be a doctor because I have a wife and 3 kids and I do enjoy time with them (although I almost went into med-school before architecture).

So, any other suggestions? Should I get an MBA? Banking and Finance? IT? CS? Let me know what you guys think.

Stay out of anything state, county, federal if you want to make that kind of money. I would go with an MBA or start your own Architecture firm if you have the experence. Could you be a consultant while going for your MBA?

[jakesteele]

If you can handle dealing with numbers all day you might try looking into becoming an Actuarial (sp). At one time it was considered the best job in America as far as low stress, good pay and overall job satisfaction.

[jahred]

Originally Posted by jakesteele

If you can handle dealing with numbers all day you might try looking into becoming an Actuarial (sp). At one time it was considered the best job in America as far as low stress, good pay and overall job satisfaction.

you beat me to it. actuaries work relatively few hours under zero stress and make a killing, but becoming a fellow of the CAS or SOA is not easy - i think there are 7-9 exams each supposedly requiring about 400 hours of study. depending on your background you might have an easier time with the first few, but they certainly look like they get pretty rough.

here's a link to the OOH entry for an actuary:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos041.htm

and here is a general "actuaries ftw" site:
http://www.beanactuary.org

[gasguzzler]

Originally Posted by Cow Pie

Stay out of anything state, county, federal if you want to make that kind of money. I would go with an MBA or start your own Architecture firm if you have the experence. Could you be a consultant while going for your MBA?

Starting my own firm is a good suggestion because I have experience running my own business. However, to start a firm, one must be registered as an architect and I have no desire to do that. The reason I have no desire to become registered is because I just do not enjoy this career anymore. I could handle the stress and other issues that come along with it, I just don't know that I'd have heart or will to stick with it.

I'll be employed same as I am now while I get whatever degree I choose, so that won't be a problem. My skills make it easy for me to get a job in the field I am now, its just time for a raise.

[gasguzzler]

Originally Posted by jakesteele

If you can handle dealing with numbers all day you might try looking into becoming an Actuarial (sp). At one time it was considered the best job in America as far as low stress, good pay and overall job satisfaction.

Excellent suggestion! I forgot about that one. My friend quit being a regional manager for a large fast-food company (making very good money) to go to school for this. I certainly don't mind numbers as I'm trained as an engineer, so I'll definitely look into this.

Thanks!

[gasguzzler]

Well, I just found this link:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/money...pshots/24.html

and it shows that the top paying salaries are all lawyers and medical. My expectations may have been too high for the areas I'm looking in.

One thing that I was thinking about was video game scenary design. All of the new games coming out have fully rendered, fully designed buildings and cities in them. I was reading the other day that companies that design the games are hiring architects to design the cities and buildings. They are making good money to work full-time for these software companies. This would fit in well with my current experience as well as something I enjoy doing. How would I go about getting a job doing this? Should I send resumes to Activision, ID, Blizzard, etc...?

[w0cyru01]

You're trained as an engineer? What does that mean?

Architect != Engineer

If you really want $150k...I would look into sales.