Becoming a senior architect usually requires a combination of education and experience, and it is best accomplished with careful planning. It is rare to be able to enter the field at the senior level, so be prepared to put in a lot of time and effort to work your way up. Before ascending to the upper echelons, most senior architects spent many years as junior architects. Early planning does not always save time, but it can make the path to becoming a senior architect more predictable and, as a result, easier to visualize and achieve.
The first step toward becoming a senior architect is usually to pursue formal education. You should aim to earn a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree. Although programs in math, engineering, and civic planning are often the most useful, the field you study at the undergraduate level is not usually crucial to career success. The master’s degree level provides more critical education. Before you can be considered for a senior architect, you must have a master’s degree in architecture or architectural science, with a few exceptions.
The majority of master’s degree holders start their careers in entry-level positions. The vast majority of senior architect training takes place at the junior level, as architectural associates perfect and refine the skills they’ll need to lead the field someday. Young architects must typically work their way up through a variety of projects based on merit and success.
Choosing your first job with your long-term career in mind is usually a good idea. It is almost always possible to change careers in the middle of one’s career, but the most competitive candidates for senior positions typically have extensive portfolios in nuanced areas. If you want to work as a senior architect in charge of corporate buildings and downtown renovations, for example, you should look for positions in urban firms. However, such a firm might not be the best fit for someone interested in landscape design or residential neighborhood planning.
Once you’ve established yourself in a company, do some research on the qualifications and credentials required for advancement. Most of the time, promotion is not a possibility for at least a few years, but knowing the senior architect requirements can help you plan ahead. For example, a certain number of site hours may be required, or you may be expected to take on certain leadership roles in project planning. Even if it isn’t required, seeking out leadership opportunities can help you demonstrate your abilities, making you a more competitive candidate for senior architect positions when they become available.
In the field of architecture, much of the hiring process is based on guesswork. In most companies, there are only a few senior positions available. When business is exceptionally good or major projects require it, jobs are occasionally created at the top, but this is unusual. As a result, you might not be able to advance to senior architect as soon as your abilities warrant it. At this point, some architects will look to change firms, often to jobs with higher prestige or more nuanced focus areas.