Derrick Said:

Where can I go to get career advice?

We Answered:

Your library is a great source for career information... and it's FREE! Here's something else for you to consider. You need to think about the big three: Law, Medicine, and Business. Of those three, you can get started the quickest in business. If you enjoy people and like to listen, a career in sales can earn you a significant income. For example, if you like investing, you can become a stock broker... some easily earn six figures once they are established in the business. Of course, you can always take the entrepreneur path... decide what you love and build a business around it. I was recently in Napa Valley and the balloonists there earn quite a bit to take tourists on a hot air balloon ride... again, they love to balloon, and built a business on their passion. You can do the same. Good luck!

Willard Said:

career advice! do you know any jobs that require travel, a knowledge of history, languages, and great pay?

We Answered:

A journalist at large. You are able to travel to Europe, Africa, and most other world areas to do reports, and if you get a major network the pay can be very large.

Joseph Said:

Help me with career advice please?

We Answered:

I will be in my third year of architecture school next Fall. I love it and I never worry about how much I am going to make. I am getting my 4 year degree in a somewhat unorthodox way.

I live in Madison, WI. The technical college (MATC) offers a two year degree as an architectural technician. This degree prepares you to work as an architectural drafter. The program at MATC has a 2+2 transfer agreement with SARUP (School of Architecture and Urban Planning) at UW Milwaukee. I am transferring to UW Milwaukee next Fall.

What is unique about architecture in Wisconsin is that Wisconsin is the only state left in the US that allows a person to possibly become a Wisconsin state licensed architect through work experience only or with any combination or school/experience. 2yr degree +6 years work (roughly, it is actually measured in hours) , 4 yr degree + 4 years work and so on. You don't need a professional degree. I will get to my point soon.

The advantage of taking the 2 year tech program in Madison, Wisconsin is that they prepare you for potentially becoming an architect by teaching the program in a way that will prepare you for taking the professional exam. Since they assume anyone with the potential will eventually become a registered architect in Wisconsin, they base thier curriculum on the professional exam. Basically, the program is a two year primer for the professional exam by teaching you drafting, sketching, specifying materials/systems, estimating, building codes, architectural structures, electrical mechanical systems and how to use different drafting softwares. (by the way the Wisconsin professional exam is almost identical to the National exam).

Now what if you don't want to only be registered in Wisconsin and you want your National professional degree? What I am doing is getting my two year tech. degree at MATC Madison and then transferring to UW Milwaukee to get my 4 year BSAS which will take only 2 more years. Then I will work for 3-4 years and go back for my B ARCH or M ARCH anywhere in the country, take the National exam and go out on my own or partner up (Not in Wisconsin hopefully). So yes roughly 8 years minimum up to 9-10 years possible from start of education to registered professional ready to start your own business anywhere in the country (although it would probably be wise to work under someone for longer). Not too bad.

I feel that having that 2 year technical degree plus the bachelors degree will give me a huge advantage over anyone with a regular 4 year degree when I am looking for an entry level job because I am technically trained and design/theory trained.

I would highly suggest looking for a way to get a technical degree that will transfer fully to a four, five or six year program at another school. The best way is to look for two schools that have a transfer agreement such as MATC Madison and UW Milwaukee. My advice is to look at architecture schools and technical schools and see which of them offer transfer agreements. Madison to Milwaukee is just one. You will go to school for the same amount of time and have a much more varied, useful education.

I will say that in order to transfer to a design school from a technical school takes more work on your part. Not only do I have to do all my technical homework, I have to integrate solid design principles into my technical assignments. What this means is, I do about 25-50% more work in the form of reading, research, drawing, sketching and modeling than my classmates who are not looking to transfer. It will be worth it however.

My advice about the architecture field in general, if you like it, do it. I talk to people very regularly who, instead of doing what they wanted, got thier degree in one of those "secure" fields such as nursing, accounting, biology etc. and they hate thier jobs. Don't be that guy/girl.

The only downside I see with architecture is that the field is very closely tied to the economy. When the economy is bad, people don't build as much. Versus the medical field where people never stop getting sick. So keep that in mind. Also, architecture is one of those fields that can often demand more than an 8 hour workday so be prepared for that as well.

If you become an architect, you will have your own house, you will have the nice cars and you will be able to pay for your childrens' college. It's possible you won't be filthy rich but you will be very comfortable. Every architect I've ever met is.

Maurice Said:

Career Advice on Professional extreme sports photography?

We Answered:

I'm not sure about apprenticeship but i doubt there is a university course that teach extreme sports photography exclusively... but if you do take it, you will learn other styles and techniques in photography that you might be able to use when taking pictures of extreme sports... it will also help you connect with people of similar interest... my best advice is to keep on doing what you do and also to look at other photographers who are known in this field and learn from them... whether or not you go get a degree in photography is up to you

Sonia Said:

What is the best way to enter a Teaching career? Looking for career advice.?

We Answered:

there are some diplomas for teaching then you can go in it,

Patsy Said:

Who do I go to for career advice?

We Answered:

Since you don't have a guidance counselor, maybe you can talk to a teacher who you are close to. Otherwise, there are many resources available on the internet.
What I can tell you is a career in medicine is a really good choice. You have to be really good at science though, because you're going to have to take many science classes and labs. You can major in nursing in college and then go back to school to go for your NP license. If you want an MD, you can major in pre-med or pretty much any science. Then after you get your Bachelor's Degree, you can apply for med school and go from there.
Now that you're junior, you should join as many extra-curricular activities as you can and keep your grades up. You should take the PSAT soon, and then sign up for the next SAT or ACT. Take it as many times as you can. Search for schools you are interested in attending now and check their requirements. Then during your senior year you can apply for college.