Helpful Vocational Comparisons using SIGI3 - What's the difference between an Architect and an Architectural Engineer?

Stuck between one or more things you think you might be interested in doing for your vocational career?

One of the powerful features of the online Education and Career planning tool SIGI3 (see "What is SIGI3?" post earlier in Nov 2011 for overview of this program) is the feature that compares the information of up to 8 vocations simultaneously.

People often ask me what the difference is between what I do as an Architectural Engineer vs what an Architect does.  After 32 years in the business I know exactly what the difference is.  It has been a very demanding but rewarding profession and know I love what I do...

....but when I was in high school making the decision of whether to be a Phys Ed teacher (what I thought I really wanted to do) and an Architectural Engineer (what my Scout Master suggested I do), I had no clue how to figure out what I was to do.  I ended up trusting my Scout Master's counsel and the rest is history.

Looking back, I of course had a vague picture in my mind what a Phys Ed teacher did because I had been in hundreds of phys ed classes from middle school on.  But as to what an Architectural Engineer did,  I had no idea other than my Scout Master told me they/he did a lot of math and made building drawings.

SIGI3 takes a little of the mystery or guesswork out of the decision making process of determining which major might be best for you.  For example, below are a couple of the comparison charts form SIGI3 answering the question that I cited above that has been asked to me many times, "What is the difference between an Architect and an Architectural Engineer".  Some of the key similarities and differences are below that have ended up being key for me in my career development which has always been subject to my goals to honor God in what I do and to be the sole provider for a family, Lord willing.

Similarites:
Both are involved in  design and construction of buildings

Both require a lot of contact with people (talking with clients)

Both require excellent commuicaiton and writing skills to be successful

Both tend to have long work hours (not just 9 to 5, 40 hours per week - typically in the 50 to 55 hours per week but can be as high as 75 to 80 when a submission deadline on a major project is due)

Both are schedule driven so someone working in the vocations needs to be able to work under pressure

Differences:
A degree in  Architectural Engineering is more technically/engineering /calculation-oriented than a degree in architecture

A degree in Architecture is more artistic.

It is typically easier to get jobs as an Architectural Engineer rather than an Architect.

Architectural Engineers starting salaries out of college are typically 45% higher ($68,000 ave per year) than Architects ($40,000 ave per year).


Unless you are a really good architect...and I mean really good based on peers I know who are architects, Architectural Engineers long term salaries are typically  57% higher ($104,000 ave per year) than Architects ($65,000 ave per year)

Above is just a sampling of the comparative information SIGI3 provides which is excellent to inform college direction decision making.  SIGI3 presents the information in charts like the below and you can compare up to 8 vocations at a time.

Architect	Engineering Managers - Architectural
Income Beginning: About $40,000/yr. for interns and new graduates with professional degree; $48,000/yr. for newly licensed architects. Positions in federal government start about $32,000-$39,000/yr. Average: About-$65,000/yr. Top: Department heads, chief architects and project managers can earn about $85,000/yr. Principals and partners can earn $100,000/yr. or more. How Earnings Vary: Vary widely with size of firm, geographic location, function, experience and specialty.	Income Beginning: The beginning annual salary is about $68,000. Average: The median annual salary is about $104,000. Top: The top annual salary is more than $150,000. How Earnings Vary: Earnings for engineering managers vary by specialty and by level of responsibility. The middle 50 percent earn between about $78,800 and $121,100.

Architect

Engineering Managers  - Architectural

Work Activities    securing bids providing post-completion services keeping current with profession observing construction preparing drawings and specifications of projects developing designs for projects discussing facility planning and projects with clients

Work Activities    Getting Information Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Processing Information Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Analyzing Data or Information Making Decisions and Solving Problems Thinking Creatively Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Developing Objectives and Strategies Scheduling Work and Activities Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Communicating with Persons Outside Organization Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Developing and Building Teams Training and Teaching Others Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates Coaching and Developing Others Provide Consultation and Advice to Others Performing Administrative Activities Monitoring and Controlling Resources.