What can someone with this degree do?

Question

An associate in applied science degree in architecture technology do? What would a day in the life of such an individual be like?

Answer 1

I'd say it wasn't a very good field to get into.

Architects don't get paid very well if they work for someone else.  They make better money if they start their own architect company, but that takes years.  

An architect MUST work toward obtaining their Professional Engineering (PE) certification in order to be able to start their own company and hire other architects.  This process takes a minimum of 5 years if you work under another architect with a PE, or 11 years if you don't work under a PE.

An architecture technologist makes even less money and is not educated to start their own firm - they would need a business education as well - and are NOT on a track for obtaining their PE.

A day in the life of an architectural technologist is to work under the direction of an architect, usually building models, doing concept drawings, or CAD drafting or artwork.  Rarely, the technologist may perform calculations that will be checked by the PE.  It's kinda fun because it's artistic, but it is terrible from the standpoint of promotion, making enough money to raise a family, or saving for retirement.

If you're going to spend 2 years getting an associate in applied science, TRY to take the architecture major, not the technology major.  There is more math, but the technology track is a dead-end; you'll be a drafter forever.  The best hope is working for civil service where at least you can get a pension.  Civil Engineering has even a little bit more math, but you can go anywhere with a Civil Engineering degree.