There is a universal feeling that one gets in every single major in their university phase. This feeling is an inner voice that says “Wait, why am I studying architecture? I don’t know anything about this… I should have been a baker instead”. If you as an architecture major are having a similar feeling then don’t be so upset. Being frustrated is very normal. You might even be putting a lot of effort and energy into getting your architecture degree and spending the long hours of the night gluing your physical model together with your sanity being held together only by the power of caffeine. After all, there is a motivating voice inside your head that says “this will pay off once I graduate”, however, if it’s not too late you might want to consider the current market before it is too late. In any case, We’re here to explain exactly why you’re having such a difficult time finding a job in the field of architecture here in Bahrain.
You have to understand that this is a huge free for all in terms of competitiveness. It is an all-out battle and you have to join the battle with every ounce of your power. There are a lot of talented graduates that possess incredible talent. But alongside competitiveness, multiple factors will be detailed below.
One of the biggest challenges facing Bahraini graduates in architecture is the lack of job opportunities in the country. Even though Bahrain is home to a thriving construction industry, there aren’t enough architecture firms to go around. This means that even if you’re the most talented graduate in your class, you’re still going to face an uphill battle regarding finding a job. According to the CRPEP report of 2022, there are approximately 924 licensed architects in Bahrain. Also, according to the CRPEP official list of engineering offices, there are a little over 120 licensed engineering offices that practice architecture. This means that the current ratio of architects to offices is almost 9:1. Moreover, according to Bahrain Open Data, there are close to 100 graduates of architecture obtaining their degrees from The University of Bahrain alone every year. This means that hordes are competing annually for a position in a licensed firm in Bahrain.
There are hundreds of foreign architects that move to Bahrain annually too. This does not bode well for fresh graduates as the odds are heavily against them. The competition for a position in a local architecture firm is going to be more and more brutal each year. On another note, there is not a single vacancy for a fresh graduate architect posted on the official CRPEP vacancies section on their website since March 2020.
But it’s not just the lack of job opportunities and government support that’s holding Bahraini graduates in architecture back. The industry itself is also facing several challenges, including a lack of innovation and a reliance on outdated technologies and techniques. This means that even if you do manage to land a job, you’ll likely be working on projects that are uninspiring and unfulfilling. So, you might be doing tedious CAD work of revisions of a 2x2 toilet and you will be doing it manually for a while because the drafting team and engineers are not familiar with Revit or other BIM software.
So, why won’t Bahraini graduates in architecture get a job? The answer is simple: there are simply not enough opportunities in the industry, and the ones that do exist are often uninspiring and unfulfilling. But don’t let that stop you from pursuing your passion for architecture. You can still make a name for yourself with hard work and determination in this challenging industry.
References:
Comentarios