Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning : Guide to courses
13. Careers for Architecture, Building and Planning graduates

Search : Index : Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning
Prev 12. Undergraduate entry
Next 14. Further information

13. Careers for Architecture, Building and Planning graduates
    13.1. Architecture
    13.2. Landscape Architecture
    13.3. Property and Construction
    13.4. Urban Planning

13. Careers for Architecture, Building and Planning graduates

Our graduates are in high demand and are well-prepared for professional life. The Kickstart Your Career program will give you advice on promoting the value of your studies, how to market your skills effectively, and how to secure professional work. It also includes sessions on folio preparation, resume writing, and a 'mock interview' session to help sharpen your interview skills. Students of architecture and property and construction are given a head start in the employment market by undertaking six months or more of work experience after their first three years of study.

13.1. Architecture

Architecture is a creative and exciting design-based profession concerned with virtually all aspects of the built environment. It combines art, science and technology with business and environmental concerns.

A typical role for an architect is to head the team which designs buildings (which may consist of structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, quantity surveyors, land surveyors, property consultants and interior designers). An architect in a small firm, however, may design buildings, document them (which takes an extensive knowledge of structures, materials and law), administer contracts, run an office and keep the business financially viable.

Many architects combine careers (architect/developer, architect/builder, architect/lawyer, architect/planner). Some enter service industries, specialising, for instance, in furniture design and manufacture or programming for computer-aided design.

13.2. Landscape Architecture

Landscape architecture is the design profession responsible for the creation of enjoyable and environmental sustainable outdoor places.

Graduate landscape architects are in demand in government departments and agencies and in the private sector. Landscape architects are employed at all levels of government from Federal, through to State and local, in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Graduates are also employed in consultancy firms that specialise in landscape architecture and planning, and in multidisciplinary firms that provide services in urban design and planning, architecture and engineering. They also work in diverse groups such as conservation agencies and development companies. Many firms consult interstate and in the Asian region as well as locally and some are linked with international companies.

13.3. Property and Construction

Property and construction is about investment in a combination of land and buildings. It is concerned with the management of people, processes, materials and finances of specific building projects and across the building industry.

Graduates in Property and Construction, depending on their majors, find employment in construction or project management or in the cost management of building projects (quantity surveying). They may begin on site (often as a coordinator or construction programmer) or in a contractor's office (as a contract administrator, estimator, or cost or project planner).

As construction managers they consult with designers on how a building will be erected, plan the job and the logistics, and manage labour, materials and equipment.

As quantity surveyors they take responsibility for the financial feasibility of potential projects and, when under construction, for cost monitoring and cost control.

Property and construction graduates also work as directors of real estate firms in sales, leasing, property management and valuation; computer systems designers; consultants in historic buildings; commercial arbitrators; commercial property and volume home building contractors; in specialist subcontracting, maintenance and renovation; and as teachers, researchers and academics.

13.4. Urban Planning

Urban planners are concerned with the allocation and spatial distribution of land uses and functions required by society. They play a key role in devising and administering land zoning schemes and are involved in resolving conflicts between competing demands for land development. They work to ensure transport facilities are well located, shops and jobs are conveniently placed, houses are built away from factories, which developments should proceed, and which buildings or spaces should be preserved.

Planning graduates work in government agencies such as the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Environment Protection Authority, or for local government. Many also work in private practices.

With a four-year BUPD, graduates are qualified to work as accredited town planners for local councils, government departments, planning consultancies or development companies.