Who: Juan Minaya
Education: I received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Southern California. School was hard work but I still liked it and enjoy what I am doing today. After earning a architectural degree, one has to have seven years of practical experience before becoming a registered architect.
Job: My schedule is pretty hectic and crazy. We are always schedule-driven. The clients and banks dictate our lives, because we always have to meet their deadlines. In the evenings I draw and design, because during the day I’m going to meetings. I got my first job by going to my school’s employment office and finding architects that needed help.
Likes and Dislikes: The reward is watching one of your creations come to life and seeing the joy in people’s faces when you design their homes the way they dreamed. The most difficult part of the job is the stress that comes with it in order to meet the deadlines that are imposed by the clients.
Salary: Starting salaries are $20,000 to $25,000… The average architect makes about $60,000.
Advice: Do well in school, especially in the sciences. You need a basic education before you can do anything.