July-August 2019
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Courtesy Kansas State University<br />
Architectural<br />
engineering is a<br />
choice major for<br />
students who are<br />
disciplined, who have<br />
an analytical thought<br />
process and who<br />
have an ability for<br />
creative problemsolving.<br />
New York.<br />
Since architectural engineering is such a<br />
technically rigorous field, students with a<br />
passion for STEM subjects are well positioned<br />
to thrive, says Rich. STEM is the commonlyused<br />
acronym for the subjects of science,<br />
technology, engineering and mathematics.<br />
Buyle sees architectural engineering as a<br />
choice major for students “who are<br />
disciplined, who have an analytical thought<br />
process and who have an ability for creative<br />
problem-solving.” Stephens adds that ideal<br />
students are those “who want to make<br />
buildings, and the world, better places,<br />
whether it be by reducing their impact on<br />
energy and the environment, or improving the<br />
indoor environment, or advancing structures<br />
to do things we haven’t done before.”<br />
A knack for communication and collaboration<br />
can also help architectural engineers<br />
thrive, says Rich. “Architects may push for<br />
radical or physically difficult designs, while<br />
engineers often want the simplest, most<br />
logical solution to a problem,” he continues.<br />
“It can be the engineer’s job to bring an<br />
architect back to reality.”<br />
In practice, architectural engineers are<br />
uniquely positioned to bridge that gap<br />
between artistic visions and physical realities.<br />
“Architectural engineers know that to make<br />
truly sustainable and high-performance<br />
buildings, everyone has to be at the table at<br />
the beginning of the design process, working<br />
in an integrated manner, acknowledging each<br />
other’s strengths and weaknesses, and trying<br />
to work toward a common goal,” says<br />
Stephens. “That, to me, is what architectural<br />
engineering is all about, and why I think it has<br />
a bright future.”<br />
K-State and IIT each offer dedicated<br />
architectural engineering programs. And, both<br />
institutions welcome international students<br />
into their classrooms and laboratories. If<br />
you’re interested in studying at either, be sure<br />
to check out their special offerings, including<br />
IIT’s multifaceted International Center and K-<br />
State’s scholarship and internship<br />
opportunities for engineers-in-training.<br />
Job opportunities can be plentiful and<br />
profitable for program graduates. But, before<br />
you begin dreaming about a future salary,<br />
Buyle advises selecting your educational<br />
institution wisely. “Make sure to choose an<br />
ABET [Accreditation Board for Engineering<br />
and Technology]-accredited program that is<br />
teaching-focused, rather than research-<br />
6 JULY/AUGUST <strong>2019</strong>
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