Job Description of a Senior Architect
The word "architect" is traditionally used to refer to specialized designers who are responsible for determining how a building will be designed, taking into consideration both practicality and aesthetics. There are also landscape architects who are responsible for determining the overall look of a piece of land, especially in the case of public parks and golf courses. However, the most common computer architect positions are found in the field of computer science with the practice of computer architecture, which is the operating structure and conceptual design of the computer.
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Function
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In large-scale civil engineering and construction projects, whole teams of architects are sometimes needed. Heading up these teams of architects are senior architects, who sometimes run their own architecture firms, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The same is true for landscape architects, who often have firms that promote the most highly qualified landscape architects to a senior position. In the software field, senior architects are responsible for the overall construction of the architecture for the company they work for.
Conditions
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Senior construction and landscape architects mostly work in comfortable offices, where they consult with clients and plan architectural designs. However, they sometimes travel to construction sites or developing parks. Computer architects are mostly found in offices, where they sit in front of a computer. These senior architects are susceptible to conditions associated with heavy computer use, such as eye strain and carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Education
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The educational background of a construction architect usually begins with a professional degree in architecture, though some architects are trained through an internship or by passing the Architect Registration Exam. Landscape architects must have a degree in landscape architecture and pass the Landscape Architect Registration Exam. Computer architects usually complete a degree in computer science or another computer-related field; those in a senior position often have a graduate degree.
Outlook
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Between 2008 and 2018, the need for construction architects is expected to grow by 16 percent, the need for landscape architects is expected to grow by 20 percent and the need for computer architects is expected to grow by 24 percent. Construction- and landscape-related fields are growing because there's a growing effort to rebuild the nation's infrastructure. Computer architects are needed because companies wish to upgrade their software capabilities to be more productive.
Earnings
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In 2008, the median salary for construction architects was $70,320, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $119,220, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median earnings for landscape architects were $58,960, with the highest 10 percent earning $97,370. For computer architects, the median earnings were $97,970.
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References
- Photo Credit a young female architect image by enens from Fotolia.com
