hello, i'm really confused on which course i should study nd i need help and advise

Both are good career choices. Which one do you think you have a flair for? What do you know about either?

i am very good at technical drawing but i'm scared. because of the rapid erection of structures. land might be exhausted before i graduate. i nid advice

the way you wrote on this page, i want to presume you prefer archi-tuture to the system engineering. they are both good depending on your passion. talking about land development, we have almost 3000 registered architects since the inception of nia, land can never get exusted, if that is your fear, go ahead, if more than that, go for engr'g. goodluck.

@poster
First and foremost, it depends on what you have a flair for. Any of them is ok. I trained as an architect and I have worked in the industry for a while (4 years). Therefore, I can give you what I consider to be the pros and cons of a career in architecture.

First, if your fear about architecture is about availability of land, you dont have anything to be afraid off. Even in congested and built up cities, building use change from time to time requiring remodelling.

architecture involves creativity. I think the main satisfaction that comes from architecture is being able to create something and see it materialize. If you are very creative, you will enjoy architecture.

Architecture (especially in Nigeria) allows room for freelancing (normally called 'PP'). In other words, even if you are working, you can earn extra by doing jobs (in your free time)for your own contacts, who will be happy to pay you than the big company you are working for. Thus, whilst the salary structure in most architecture firms is nothing to write home about, you will find that you can make up with your PPs. But that will mean sacrificing your free time.

Architecture tends to become more rewarding with years of practice and experience. Residential projects are the most common commissions that architects lay their hands on. How much your client is willing to pay depends on who your client is. many architects are in a vulnerable situation because there are many draughtmen who are willing to take the jobs for far less. However if you are consulting for a public institution or a big company (like banks), you can be sure that they will be willing to pay professional fees. However, no serious institution or company will give their architectural consultancy job to a beginner. That's the reason why the big jobs go to architects who have established their own firms.

Architecture is another field where connection matters alot. Infact, it is one factor that determines who gets the job in Nigeria. There are exceptions of course, but at least be aware of this fact.

I dont know what systems engineering is but it sounds IT-ish to me. From what I know about engineering, there is greater flexibility in terms of industry to work in than there is in architecture. Most times architectects are confined to the building and construction industry. Some banks and oil companies that have property and real estate subsidiaries employ architects, but that is usually as far as it gets. as an architect, going into another sector will often mean a career change. depending on specialisation, a civil or electrical engineer for instance can work in oil and gas, telecoms, construction, they are not as restricted as architects. I think this is a very important thing to consider.

I said earlier that architecture allows you to be creative. I should add that the materialisation of whatever you create often takes time. Buidings are not constructed over night. Your creation depends on other professionals (structural services engineers and builders) who will make input into your work and some times cause it to be modified. so 'as designed' is not always 'as built'. Skills like being a good team player will be an essential combination with your drawing skills.

Studying architecture can also give you the opportunity to specialise in fields such as interior design, 3d visualisation and animation.

If your consideration is renumeration. The architecture firms in Nigeria that pay well are very few. Majority pay pea nuts for entry level (25k, 30k, 40k per month)

I know this is one sided since I talked about architecture, but I hope it helps sha, above all, I guess you should follow your heart.