There are several educational paths to an Interior architecture degree. The most common one is a Bachelor Degree in Interior architecture. These educational programs include many of the same courses of study a student pursuing and degree in architecture might take. Less common are the Master Degrees in Interior architecture. Careers in interior architecture generally lead the designer to specialize and it is more common that advanced degrees are pursued in areas such as industrial design, art or related fields after a degree in architecture is achieved. More important a person in the US may not claim to be an Interior Architect unless they have completed all the requirements to become a licensed architect. One to three years work experience is always required for the person pursing interior architecture careers and individual states in the US have licensing requirements for the Interior architect as well.
Work Environment for Interior architecture jobs
Unlike the structural architect who designs the building, or the contractors who build it, those engaged in Interior architecture jobs will be indoors and usually in an office. The interior architect may well be designing furniture or displays, reading blueprints as they may begin work before the building is completed. Interior architecture careers will require excellent communication skills as the interior architect will be expected to consult with architects, engineers and the clients in order to better understand the needs of the client and their desires for the space. They will also be consulting with contractors who are building or renovating the space, interior designers who finish the areas and many others involved in creating work, sales or living spaces.
Finding Interior Architecture Jobs
It is important to recognize that the person with the proper educational credentials will definitely have an edge in the job market but that educational requirements are not all it takes for interior architecture jobs. Many contacts in the interior architecture careers field can be attained during the mandated work period while achieving licenses. There is no single path to success in interior architecture careers but contacts, persistence and the right personality for these demanding jobs rank high.
The demand for interior architects in areas such as long term care facilities is expected to increase greatly in the near future due to the number of aging persons from the Baby Boomer generation requiring long term care. Employers seeking more productive and efficient environments for their employees are creating more interior architecture jobs. However because this is a very well compensated field with excellent benefits the competition for interior architecture jobs will be intense.
This is a very specialized field in which the candidate has usually had at least 6 years of post secondary schooling as well as an internship period. The internship period is a time when interior architects usually spend making contacts within the field as well as settling upon a specialization in their field. Working relationships with practicing structural architects as well as sheer persistence can land the right person one of these highly lucrative interior architecture jobs.
