thinking of making the jump from architecture school to…
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thinking of making the jump from architecture school to carpentry/trades
for some background:
\\- 19F, graduated Year 12 in 2025
\\- started my first year of architecture this year after moving interstate to melbourne australia
\\- living away from family, who currently support me financially
\\- still on my Ls with no car and have failed my Ps test sigh
\\- currently unemployed, i had a job transfer lined up from my old employer interstate but it fell through. been looking for work in melbourne for 7 months with no luck despite applying both online and in person :(
im looking for some insight from people working in the building/trades industry because I’m considering taking a study break from architecture next semester to explore building/trade work.
the main things influencing my decision are financial viability, long-term stability and whether i actually see myself enjoying the career.
i genuinely really like architecture school and the skills I’m learning. it also wasn’t easy to get into, and I’m at a highly regarded architecture school, so leaving would definitely be difficult. however, I’m also trying to consider more practical options given how quickly the industry and wider job market are changing.
my family is currently dealing with some external financial challenges, and my inability to find part-time/casual work in melbourne has made me question the financial viability of studying architecture. even though my tuition is subsidised through a loan, there are still significant course related costs, and architecture requires a substantial investment of time and education including postgraduate study. ive also heard about the difficulty of breaking into the industry after graduating due to the number of architecture graduates.
For a while, I’ve been interested in hands-on work within the building industry, particularly carpentry and other trades. I started architecture technology this semester and have enjoyed learning about construction, particularly timber construction in small-scale residential buildings. I’m interested in actually applying that knowledge on site rather than only drawing it.
I also find the relationship between architects and builders interesting, and I’d like to experience the other side of the industry and potentially become the person actually building what gets designed. I’m considering doing a Cert II pre-apprenticeship, seeing whether I enjoy it, and then potentially pursuing a paid apprenticeship. Beyond genuine interest, I’m also attracted to the physical, hands-on nature of trades and the perception that they may be less vulnerable to AI than architecture, where AI is already being adopted quite quickly.
I’d really love to hear perspectives from people actually working in the industry, as I don’t have many connections in the trades. I’m also planning to speak with a careers counsellor at uni.
I come from an academic family and a culture where higher education was viewed as essential for getting a good career, so I’m currently unlearning some of those assumptions and realising that there are a lot more viable pathways than I previously thought
#industry
source
for some background:
\\- 19F, graduated Year 12 in 2025
\\- started my first year of architecture this year after moving interstate to melbourne australia
\\- living away from family, who currently support me financially
\\- still on my Ls with no car and have failed my Ps test sigh
\\- currently unemployed, i had a job transfer lined up from my old employer interstate but it fell through. been looking for work in melbourne for 7 months with no luck despite applying both online and in person :(
im looking for some insight from people working in the building/trades industry because I’m considering taking a study break from architecture next semester to explore building/trade work.
the main things influencing my decision are financial viability, long-term stability and whether i actually see myself enjoying the career.
i genuinely really like architecture school and the skills I’m learning. it also wasn’t easy to get into, and I’m at a highly regarded architecture school, so leaving would definitely be difficult. however, I’m also trying to consider more practical options given how quickly the industry and wider job market are changing.
my family is currently dealing with some external financial challenges, and my inability to find part-time/casual work in melbourne has made me question the financial viability of studying architecture. even though my tuition is subsidised through a loan, there are still significant course related costs, and architecture requires a substantial investment of time and education including postgraduate study. ive also heard about the difficulty of breaking into the industry after graduating due to the number of architecture graduates.
For a while, I’ve been interested in hands-on work within the building industry, particularly carpentry and other trades. I started architecture technology this semester and have enjoyed learning about construction, particularly timber construction in small-scale residential buildings. I’m interested in actually applying that knowledge on site rather than only drawing it.
I also find the relationship between architects and builders interesting, and I’d like to experience the other side of the industry and potentially become the person actually building what gets designed. I’m considering doing a Cert II pre-apprenticeship, seeing whether I enjoy it, and then potentially pursuing a paid apprenticeship. Beyond genuine interest, I’m also attracted to the physical, hands-on nature of trades and the perception that they may be less vulnerable to AI than architecture, where AI is already being adopted quite quickly.
I’d really love to hear perspectives from people actually working in the industry, as I don’t have many connections in the trades. I’m also planning to speak with a careers counsellor at uni.
I come from an academic family and a culture where higher education was viewed as essential for getting a good career, so I’m currently unlearning some of those assumptions and realising that there are a lot more viable pathways than I previously thought
#industry
source
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