I thought it was basically impossible to get a decent architecture job without being exceptional/connected. That's what turned me off from the field.
As an anecdote, in 2009 when construction plummeted - downturn is a bit delayed, investors finish ongoing buildings but don't start new ones - the company where I was working downsized from 75 to 10 employees in a few months. In small offices (with smallish projects) was even worse.