February 21, 2007
by Stanley Rubenti
Local Education Columnist
In the last couple of decades, Seattle, WA has managed to attain big-city status without being a "big city." With roughly 600,000 residents, almost no pollution, low crime, a strong economy, and terrific access to nature, Seattle doesn't overwhelm you with the usual trappings of modern urban life. And yet, it has a robust housing market that seems to flourish despite real estate busts elsewhere in the country. This is terrific news if you're looking to launch a career in residential design.
What Type of Education Do You Need?
A career in residential design can actually mean many different things, depending on your area of interest. Interior design, structural engineering, architecture, plumbing, electrical engineering, and construction are all potential career paths one can follow in this broad discipline. Almost all of them borrow heavily from technical disciplines as well as artistic ones. And almost all of them are regulated professions, requiring licensing and certification. So if you're looking to launch a career in residential design, you will probably need at least a bachelor's degree in one of the above.
The Benefits of Education in Residential Design
A career in residential design can be quite lucrative--especially in Seattle, given the city's high demand for new condominiums. Architects make an average of $60,000 a year, interior designers make an average of $40,000 a year, and plumbers (the highest-paid sector in the construction industry) make between $40,000 and $50,000 a year on average. So even though launching a career in this field might require a few years of extra education, the investment will be a sound one.
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About the Author
A freelance writer, Stanley Rubenti currently lives in Bangkok where he writes columns for a variety of publications. Stanley holds a B.A. in history.
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