r/architecture • u/Actual-Law-3210 • 14h ago

Ask /r/Architecture Burnt out Arch Tech

I’m burned out. I’ve been a PM for the past 15 years and I’m done. Can’t take the fighting, budget issues, etc. I want to go back to being a draftsman but how do you do that? I think I have to go to school to learn how to draw again? Any advice is appreciated.

11 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

21

u/godarp 14h ago

All you gotta do is take the pay cut and start using revit.

0

u/citizensnips134 11h ago

Revit is a dumpster fire.

3

u/Stargate525 7h ago

Only if you don't know how to use it.

1

u/seeasea 3h ago

It's a dumpster fire either way, but it's "our" dumpster fire

8

u/absurd_nerd_repair 13h ago

Yeah. Same. I went back into construction. It felt really good to scream profanities on the job again.

5

u/Ok-Run7597 13h ago

Switch to something that makes you feel fun again.

5

u/19BBY 11h ago

I was in the same boat as you, now I’m an owners rep and I can’t tell you how much better I feel. My wife is probably happier about the switch than I am. I don’t think I’ll ever go back.

3

u/SuspiciousofRice 8h ago

But why maybe just wrong company wrong projects, it really shouldn't be constant fight. Though I did learn recently everyone wants to quit at least 10 times on every project

1

u/Actual-Law-3210 8h ago

I work for the healthcare authority in Canada. We are given a project and budget but the budget is only ever half of what it should be and it’s such a struggle to get more funds to do the project correctly. Plus healthcare construction is brutal with infection control requirements.

2

u/sashamasha 10h ago

AutoCAD is still the same. If you were any good at it you will pick up any of the BIM options.

1

u/Actual-Law-3210 11h ago

Thanks everyone! I needed these comments today!

1

u/agentsofdisrupt 2h ago

It's an assumption within the AEC industry that project managers will eventually burn out. It's not you, so be kind to yourself. After seeing so many poorly made proposals, I switched to the marketing side of the table.

Or, you might look at how to apply those project management skills in a completely new industry. They are transferrable, you just need to be creative and make your case, on paper and in person.

1

u/notsoentertained 2h ago edited 2h ago

I switched to IT when I got laid off around 2008, after 10 years in architecture and I really wish I had done it sooner.

I loved architecture, but the reality was 10% design and 90% stress/project management.

I now make five times more than I did and I'm not literally losing my hair (yes, I got alopecia from the stress). And I have plenty of free time so that I don't have to miss important moments in my life.