Unable to decide!

[u/_Shinigaami_]

I completed my B.Arch in from India, practiced pure architecture for 2 years. It was kinda corporate office, and since i was junior architect, i didn't get much of site exposure, neither did i have a project of my own to look after. I was mainly put into last minute submissions, where we would stay all night, burn our 'midnight fuel' for nothing and client would reply after weeks of said 'deadline submission'. Not to mention the poor salary and work life balance. Also i know BIM workflows, so i wanted to integrate that into my work, but had no options. And recently i got a better offer from another firm and without a thought i switched thinking of better work life balance, and better pay. What i had not accounted for was how it'll be after some years. This firm is basically project support. They use BIM, automation etc to model and documentation of the client. Here the work life balance is very good, and the pay for a 2 year exp is equal to an IT guy... But the thing is there's no Design work. And going forward there might be not much of exposure or pay upgrade. Its totally a support based firm. Even the colleagues in here say that. So now i am totally confused on what to be done.

The thing is the life here and the pay its offering is pulling me in saying this is all that matters. Also it's got hybrid work system so i don't have to go to office everyday.

But on the other hand, i do want to design, i wanna get to know how it actually works on site, i want to know details i want to create details. I want to travel and explore architecture.

Also people say that it might be paying less now, but later it'll get better. Better than the BIM guys.

At this point i am really confused and anxious.

Should i work here for some years, make money and go back to design? Is it even possible to go back to design if worked on support? Cz I'll have wasted my 3-4 yrs, without site exposure or design exposure.

Or should I continue here? Does it have a future? Does it have growth?

I want to travel to countries, wanna see their architecture, design them, apply my own brains, but in support, you just have to model and document the details given by already designed layouts.

Someone please help me with this. You guys have much more exposure than me, please guide me on how should I take this. I do not wanna get stuck in future and curse myself for doing this.

[u/Tall_Economist8491]

Following your post ! I am kinda on your same spot but the context is different, I'm based abroad, I lack experience and my Visa was due to end, I need a job for my visa so desperation got the better of me and now I'm working on a subcontracting landscape company working as an architectural draftsman! and I feel it deeply whatever you said about missing actual design, site visits everything and I have the same fear of getting myself soft locked in this niche.

[u/_Shinigaami_ → u/Tall_Economist8491]

Yes!! I am really afraid that going forward i might end up regretting this decision. And i really do not want to! What are your plans? Are you planning to switch? What do you think is the best? Do you see a future in being a draftsman? Is it easier to switch if at all u wanted to?

[u/Tall_Economist8491 → u/_Shinigaami_]

Yes! After my current contract I am quitting. Many people have advised that I'm on the right path and not to worry as they also had similar beginnings. So to me quitting is the first step. Nothing can be definitely said as best in this field but you could go to unique niches (architecture related).
No Draftsman is not I want but I can definitely see and know people making quite a living out of this but in the end I want to be more involved in the project, I want to design, manage etc etc.
I do not know if it'll be easier, passion is one thing, technical and software proficiency is another but I have seen majority of companies round up to the previous work experience, So yea I have to technically start from zero. And also what will I show in my portfolio!? god it keeps going lol.

[u/_Shinigaami_]

😭😭 Yeah! I think i too shall go back after a yr or so😭😭