Searching for advice

[jimiz]

I have nearly 8 years experience working with architect firms and small residential construction companies. I started with OJT with Autocad 14 with a small architect firm. I now am the drafter and designer for custom home pre-fab company. I do not have any formal education on construction or architecture. I have a yearning to learn more within the architecture area. I do not have any one above me to learn from or bounce ideas off. I would like to pursue an architecture degree, but with mortgage and other responsibilities I don't have that option.

I have become familiar with Autocad Architectural Desktop 2008. I have been producing some 3D models of custom homes. I have thought that if I continue to learn more programs and grasp the 3D and BIM concepts, that I will be more marketable and open to positions with opportunity to learn and grow with a senior designer or architect. I love the field I'm in and would like to keep growing but in the right direction and not continuing to use bad habits that I am not aware of.

Does anyone have some suggestions on the best way to move forward? To gain more knowledge and guidance?

[nanrehvasconez]

Master AutoCAD Architecture in full, it is the gold mark in CAD, all other programs are clones to various extends, then search for a job with a larger architectural-engineering firm, there are always good people that will teach you how to work in a team, eventually, dependeng in your creativity and your innate avility you will be promoted to better and more responsible possitions = $$$.

When you are ready, chalange the licensing test until you get your architect's license. You do not need to have a college degree to chalange your licensing.

[jimiz]

Thank you for your input. I have been paying attention to the BIM growth within the architectural community. I felt that by sticking with ADT, that I may fall behind the others using Revit.

Concerning the challenging the licensing, is this still possible? The guidelines in Oregon state that I have to have min. of a bachelor degree and internship prior to taking the test for an architect license. Is this something that I would be able to challenge? Is this done very often?

Thanks for your help.

[Antisthenes]

2 more years and you can apply for broad range of experience with NCARB but get it in quick if you want to do that because they will no longer be accepting back dated IDP that are not digital after this year

[jimiz]

Thanks for the reply. I am not sure what you mean about applying for broad range of exp. w/ NCARB. Also you mention I need to do this quickly. Can you expand on this some more? Thanks.

[Antisthenes]

NCARB is the body that makes the tests to become registered.
After this Dec. they will not take more than 6 months of IDP experience at a time and will only take it electronically too.

Broad experience is a option to get licensed that NCARB provides as an alternative to an accredited degree based on 10 years of experience, portfolio and a fee (less than a masters degree).

Call them and start your file immediately if you want to peruse becoming an architect with what you already have, you have no time to waste. do you have your experience forms signed and sealed to turn into your local Board of Registrar?

[jimiz]

Honestly, I did not believe that I could attain an architect degree with experience only. I will need to contact NCARB to see how to get started.

I do not have any experience forms nor do I have them signed. I will have to look into this.

Thank you Antisthenes for your help on this.