Career roadmaps

How to get from "I want to build that" to a real job

Eight careers, one for every kid in the Ribbonfield crew. Each roadmap shows what to study, how long it takes, the license you'll need, and what the job pays.

Every path starts the same way

You don't have to pick yet

Ages 6 to 10

Notice and build

Draw your street. Build with blocks and boxes. Ask "who decided this?" on walks. Every one of these careers starts with noticing.

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Ages 11 to 13

Try things out

Take art and every math class you can. Try a design camp, a robotics club or Future City, a middle school competition where teams design a city of the future.

Find a camp →
Ages 14 to 18

Pick a direction

Choose classes for the career you like best, start a portfolio if you want to design, and look for summer programs and mentors. The roadmaps below show what to take.

See the roadmaps →

Architect

Designs whole buildings and how people move through them.

Pay$99,280median per year, 2025
Job growth4% growth, about averageprojected 2025 to 2035
LicenseLicense required in every state
How longAbout 8 years after high school
  1. 1High school

    Geometry, physics, art and drawing, and any drafting or CAD class. Join ACE Mentor if your school has it.

  2. 2College

    A Bachelor of Architecture (5 years) at a NAAB-accredited school, or a 4-year degree plus a Master of Architecture.

  3. 3After college

    About 3 years of paid work logged through NCARB's Architectural Experience Program, plus the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). You can take the exam while you work.

Developer

Brings the money, land and people together so a project can happen.

PayVariesNot tracked separately by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job growthNot trackedBLS doesn't track this job separately
LicenseNo license required
How longUsually 4 to 6 years after high school
  1. 1High school

    Math, economics or business, government, and anything that gets you speaking up: debate, student council, running a club.

  2. 2College

    A bachelor's in real estate, finance, business, urban planning or architecture (4 years). Many developers add a master's in real estate development.

  3. 3After college

    No license is needed to be a developer. Most start at a development company, a bank or a city planning office. A real estate license can help.

Good to know: Affordable housing developers often team up with nonprofits and cities to build homes families can afford.

Interior designer

Shapes how the inside of a space looks, feels and works.

Pay$67,190median per year, 2025
Job growth3% growth, about averageprojected 2025 to 2035
LicenseLicensed in some states; NCIDQ certification everywhere
How longAbout 6 years after high school
  1. 1High school

    Art, drawing, geometry, and any design, CAD or family and consumer sciences class.

  2. 2College

    A bachelor's in interior design (4 years) at a CIDA-accredited school.

  3. 3After college

    About 2 years of work experience and the NCIDQ exam. You can take the first part of the exam right after college. Some states license interior designers, so check yours.

Lighting designer

Plans daylight and electric light so spaces are safe and beautiful.

PayVariesNot tracked separately by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job growthNot trackedBLS doesn't track this job separately
LicenseCertification, not a license
How longAbout 6 years after high school
  1. 1High school

    Physics, math and art. Join the stage crew and run the lights for the school play.

  2. 2College

    Architectural engineering (4 to 5 years, ABET-accredited), or a degree in lighting design or theater design.

  3. 3After college

    Work at a lighting design or engineering firm, then earn the Lighting Certified (LC) credential. Engineers can also get a PE license.

Good to know: Lighting designers work on buildings, bridges, parks, concerts and museums.

Landscape architect

Designs parks, streets and outdoor spaces that grow over time.

Pay$79,870median per year, 2025
Job growth4% growth, about averageprojected 2025 to 2035
LicenseLicense required in every state
How longAbout 6 to 8 years after high school
  1. 1High school

    Biology, earth science, art and geometry. Garden clubs, scouting and anything outdoors count.

  2. 2College

    A Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (4 to 5 years) at a LAAB-accredited school.

  3. 3After college

    Work experience (how much depends on the state) and the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE).

Engineer

Makes sure it stands up, stays dry and works.

Pay$100,840median per year, 2025
Job growth6% growth, faster than averageprojected 2025 to 2035
LicensePE license to sign drawings for the public
How longAbout 8 years after high school
  1. 1High school

    Algebra all the way through calculus, physics and chemistry. Try robotics, or Future City in middle school.

  2. 2College

    A bachelor's in civil, structural or architectural engineering (4 years) at an ABET-accredited school.

  3. 3After college

    The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, which many students take senior year, then about 4 years of work and the Professional Engineer (PE) exam.

Good to know: Pay and growth shown are for civil engineers.

Specifications writer

Writes down exactly what gets built and how well, so the drawings and the promise match.

PayVariesNot tracked separately by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job growthNot trackedBLS doesn't track this job separately
LicenseCertification, not a license
How longAbout 8 years after high school
  1. 1High school

    English and writing, geometry, drafting or CAD, and any building or shop class. Careful readers make great spec writers.

  2. 2College

    A degree in architecture, interior design, engineering or construction management (4 to 5 years).

  3. 3After college

    Several years on real projects, then a specifications certificate (like the one at Lawrence Technological University in Michigan) and CSI's CDT and CCS certifications.

Good to know: The drawings and the specifications together are the contract documents: the promise everyone signs before building starts.

Builder

Leads the crews and schedule that turn drawings into a real place.

Pay$114,990median per year, 2025
Job growth9% growth, much faster than averageprojected 2025 to 2035
LicenseMichigan builder's license for homes
How long4 years, or learn while you earn
  1. 1High school

    Math, physics and shop or construction tech. Career-tech centers and summer jobs on a crew are a great start.

  2. 2College

    A bachelor's in construction management (4 years, ACCE-accredited), or start in the trades with a paid apprenticeship and work your way up.

  3. 3After college

    Certifications like Certified Construction Manager (CCM). In Michigan, building homes requires a residential builder's license.

Good to know: Pay and growth shown are for construction managers.

Next steps

Ready to plan?

Colleges and degreesAccredited programs for every career, with Michigan schools and HBCUs.Find a program →Camps and youth programsDetroit and Michigan programs, sorted by age.See programs →Scholarships and grantsMoney for school, with who qualifies and when to apply.Find funding →

Pay and job growth: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2025 median pay; projections 2025 to 2035). Licensing: NCARB, CIDQ, CLARB, NCEES, NCQLP, CSI, CMAA and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Requirements vary by state. Last checked October 2026.