School of Architecture & Design Career Opportunities

With an architecture degree, your career path can be easily determined — nearly half of all architecture majors have careers as architects, but almost all architecture majors work in related fields, like design and construction. Within that, there are opportunities for specialties: urban design and planning, residential, commercial, hospitality, and more. You could also go on to work in engineering or as an educator or administrator in schools.

If you want to work in a field closely related to architecture, you should do your best to get an internship in college. Real-world work experience is incredibly important when it comes to finding employment in this field, and an internship will help provide you with the experience you need to find full-time employment after graduation.

Students have the opportunity to enhance their portfolios, resumes, and job application materials throughout the program. The School of Architecture and Design’s Fall Career Day facilitates direct networking with representatives from architectural firms both regionally and nationally. Job and internship opportunities are shared on the School of Architecture and Design Jobs Board for students and alumni. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Office of Career Services offers career guidance and support to further assist students.

Helpful Career-Related Websites

• National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
• The NCARB Handbook for Interns and Architects
• American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
• National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA)
• National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS)
• Associate of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
• Toward an Evolution of Studio Culture
• The Emerging Professional's Companion
• ARCHCareers Blog

Common Areas of Employment

• Construction firms
• Interior design firms
• Government departments
• Landscaping
• Universities and colleges
• Businesses
• Engineering firms
• Consulting
• Public sector employers

Common Career Opportunities

Requirements to Become a Licensed Architect

1. Earn a professional degree from a school accredited by the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB). In the fall of 2014, the NAAB team conducted a comprehensive review of the program, ultimately extending our accreditation for the maximum full-length accreditation term of eight years. View information about our accreditation here.
2. Document and complete the hours requried by the Architecture Experience Program (AXP.)
3. Pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). 

The Professional Practice sequence of courses includes ARCH 464 Construction Documentation, in the final semester of the undergraduate program, and ARCH 540 Architectural Practice, in the final semester of the Graduate program. Both courses include the topic areas of AXP, ARE, and Career Development.  

Links and/or postings to the AXP Guidelines and ARE Guidelines, as well as sample resumes, are found on both course Moodle sites.  

Additionally, the School of Architecture and Design hosts a Career Fair every spring semester where practitioners set up tables and meet with students informally for career development opportunities.  

Our University Office of Career Services helps facilitate this event and supports the efforts of our students to gain employment through resume and interview coaching as well as other resources.

Architect License Advisor

Need some guidance along the path to licensure? The School's architect licensing advisor, Dr. Robert McKinney, can help you!

Licensing advisors are educators who help students and alumni to pursue licensure. The advisor can provide candidates with their first glimpse into the licensure process, lending help and advice. You can look to your advisors for insight into completing the AXP, passing the ARE, and meeting licensure and reciprocity requirements.

NAAB-accredited architecture programs and AIA state chapters are expected to have an appointed advisor. NCARB shares tools and training opportunities to ensure appointed advisors are ready to help candidates and architects understand our programs and their roles as advisors. Please contact Dr. Robert McKinney for questions and additional information at robert.mckinney@louisiana.edu.

Interior designers blend creativity, technical skill, and research with a commitment to social responsibility, global awareness, and environmental stewardship.

They design interior spaces in a wide range of settings, including:

• Hospitals and medical offices
• Hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs
• Shopping centers, retail stores, and showrooms
• Museums, libraries, and health clubs
• Spas and private residences

Beyond the Surface

Interior designers do more than select furnishings, finishes, and equipment. They also focus on creating spaces that enhance indoor environmental quality, with attention to:

• Acoustics
• Lighting
• Thermal comfort

Many choose to specialize in areas such as:

• Residential design
• Healthcare
• Hospitality
• Historic preservation
• Adaptive reuse

Career Paths

Graduates can find employment in:

• Architectural or interior design firms
• Specialized design practices
• Their own independent businesses

They may also work in related fields such as:

• Facilities management
• Design consulting
• Manufacturer representation for products and materials

Continuing Education

Our graduates are prepared for advanced study. Those who meet the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Graduate School requirements can fast-track into the School of Architecture & Design’s Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program.

With an M.Arch degree, graduates are eligible to:

• Teach at the university level
• Pursue architectural licensure by taking the Architect Registration Examination (ARE)

Others choose to pursue graduate education in specialized areas of interior design at universities across the country.

Industrial designers create the concepts that shape the products we use every day—from cars to toys. They balance style, function, and user experience to produce items that are both visually appealing and easy to use.

Industrial designers often specialize in fields such as:

• Medical supply design
• Automotive design
• Electronics design
• Furniture design

Designing for People

A successful industrial designer understands the needs and desires of consumers. They focus on:

• Ensuring products are functional and intuitive
• Enhancing visual appeal
• Creating designs that can be efficiently mass-produced

Career Paths

Our graduates have gone on to work with leading corporations such as NASA, Boeing, and Bell, as well as design firms and independent studios.