Tiny House Builder

Description: Building designers are professionals who specialize in single family home designs.

Knowledge Required: Construction, architectural design, art, math, engineering

Skills: Problem solving, critical thinking, communications skills

Career Path: Unlike architects, Professional Building Designers are not legally required to pass exams or receive special licenses. Becoming a “Certified Professional Building Designer” is recommended. To prepare for the certification exam, take training courses in architecture or structural engineering, and use internships to gain on the job experience.

Best Cities for this job: Metropolitan areas such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles

Future Growth: Jobs in architecture and design will become more abundant as green jobs continue to increase. In architecture this includes not only new Green buildings but retrofitting existing structures to make them more energy efficient.

From the field: “Once I built my house, people were just fascinated by the idea of living simply because in this culture it’s hard to do that.” - Jay Shafer, Founder & Designer, Tumbleweed Tiny House Company