One Year out of Architecture School.

I am nearly one-third of the way through my IDP credits. Just two years left and I can call myself a licensed architect in the state of Michigan. Some of my buddies that went to other universities in Michigan are just now graduating with their Architecture degree. Architecture school was great, but I am glad to be done. I can't imagine taking four years to get my Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree and then another two-years to get a Masters in Architecture. Not so sure my fiance can imagine having to wait another year to get married either.

I researched all of the great Architecture schools in Michigan to find the best 5-year Architecture degree program in Michigan. I knew I wasn't going to leave the state since out-of-state tuition can be killer. Another important aspect for me was finding an accredited Michigan Architecture school. I wasn't going to spend five years in an Architecture school and not get an Architecture degree that would be highly regarded by my future employers.

The three studio levels at my Architecture school were pretty intense. It was at least 12 hours a week of design work. It was great to have some real hands-on experience, but we definitely worked our butts off. Structures was nearly impossible for me. I think every Architecture school is that way. It was just not my strong suit, but the professors were great and I got through it. I am dreading the Structures test for IDP. I am gonna have to study all my old notes.

I never really finished my portfolio after graduating with my Architecture degree. I was fortunate to find a job rather quickly so I kind of just let it go. In moving into our new apartment, I came across a few printed copies I started with and it really made me want to go back through my work from Architecture school and finish my portfolio. Things are going great with my job, but Michigan's economy is suffering and it can't hurt to be prepared.

For my Architecture school graduation, my parents had ordered a frame to put my diploma in. It took a few months to actually receive it and then again, with the move to the apartment, things got shuffled around. Amanda actually found it when she was organizing the office this past weekend, so I took the time to pull out my diploma from Architecture school and put it in the frame. It's the first picture we actually hung on our walls.

I actually thought of visiting the campus of my Architecture school the other day. I really respect the professors I had and it would be nice to update them on where I am working. I think it would be a nice trip to take Amanda around campus. We weren't dating very seriously when I was in Architecture school so she never really got to see what I did there.