high sChOOL PROgRAMs
Lay a Strong
Foundatio

n
hErE ArE the programs
of study available within the
architecture & construction
P
cluster in Texas high schools.*
The state has created programs
R
of study for each of these areas.
These documents detail high
o
school classes you might take,
extended learning opportunities,
G
and postsecondary programs.
TAkE A BRoAd sELECTIon of subjects to get ready
To download them, visit www.
R
for success in Architecture & Construction.
achievetexas.org/implementation.
htm and click on the cluster icon
A
for the area that interests you.
M
DESiGN & prE-CONSTrUCTiON
A
t first glance, preparing for careers in “You have to demonstrate good
Architecture & Construction might seem communication skills to be taken seriously,”
like a matter of picking a specialty within says Toby Velasquez, general manager of
professionals in this field create designs
the cluster—carpentry, masonry, electrical Pooldeck Construction in Dallas. If you’re
for the construction of cities, homes,
work, drafting—and focusing on the specialty competing with someone else for a job, he
with single-minded precision. says, the person who is better at writing and
P
and highways. They turn ideas into
plans. designers conceptualize ideas
Even if you know where your career is headed, speaking will often be selected.
it’s important to take a variety of courses in Speaking a foreign language is also a plus in
R
for the inside environments of homes,
offices, and retail outlets, as well as
high school. That’s because Architecture & this cluster. Velasquez speaks four languages
Construction is a generalist’s field involving (Spanish, Italian, and Japanese in addition to
o
hotels and resorts.
teamwork and interaction with all sorts of English) and says, “I’ve used all of them on the
F
CONSTrUCTiON
people. Although you can take specialized job at one time or another.”
construction workers build cities,
courses in specific skills such as drafting, don’t
I
homes, and highways. They construct
think your academic classes aren’t important. Master science and Math
or remodel buildings used for living and
Architecture & Construction also requires
L
work on structures such as streets,
Communication is Critical strong math and science skills. Understanding
bridges, tunnels, and airports.
Those who want to work in Architecture & the physics of how a building is built and
E
Construction need to be able to communicate knowing the algebra and geometry used for the
mAiNTENANCE/OpErATiONS
with all different types of people, including thousands of specifications and measurements
S
people working in this field are
contractors, clients, laborers, inspectors, that go into a complex building helps you get
responsible for the maintenance, repair,
and designers. That means having a strong ahead in the construction business.
and restoration of cities, houses, and
foundation in English— “I would recommend taking rigorous math
highways. They also repair and maintain
reading, writing, as well as art courses,” says Mary Crites, an
factory equipment, streets, schools,
speaking, and architect and principal in the Lubbock office
offices, and homes.
listening—is of Parkhill, Smith, and Cooper, Engineers,
essential. Architects, and Planners. “I’m a firm believer
that, for an architect, the art side can be
* Not all schools offer all programs of study or
clusters. ask your counselor which programs are learned. It does not have to be an innate
available at your school.
ability. You have to be good with computers
and math as well as have an eye for design.
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