Benjamin Robert Bertram
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Major: Architecture
I am currently attending the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee for my MBA.
Organization: INSPEC, Inc
How did you find this job?
I took some guys ice fishing one day who were friends of a friend. They were from Milwaukee and both had Architecture degrees, but did not practice in your "typical" architecture firm. There was a job opening with one and I got the job.
My primary job responsibilities are quite varied. One day I may be in the office working on a set of construction drawings, and the next I may be out on a roof making test cuts to determine the existing construction. I also do building inspections and ride on swing stages occasionally. I typically take on jobs from an initial inspection, to the design of repairs, the bid process, and then construction administration. It is not your typical architecture job and has exposed me to many different areas and buildings in the field. We typically do not do new construction and are usually called in after a building is having problems or leaks.
Not a whole lot to be honest. The one class I took that I remember being beneficial was structures. Some of the construction management classes I took, including plan reading have also been very helpful. Other than that, the architecture classes did not help much.
I got away from architecture and I am now in a more hands on position where I get to see all of the mistakes made during design and construction first hand. I was surprised that I was able to find a project management job so soon after school. Most architects are limited to CAD responsibilities their first several years. Also, I was surprised to learn that without a MArch it is very difficult to move up the corporate ladder/get hired in most states (other than Wisconsin).
Be open to new ideas. Even if you aren’t sure you want a job that is listed, apply anyways and go to the interview. Find out what the job is all about before ruling it out. You'd be surprised where you might end up.