about the skipping..i really dun think you can skip a year, just certain courses, notably communications. and there are MANY jobs for architecture, most over 80k...but architects don't think that is much, as they got all these qualifications and expect over 200k which easily possible, depending on the projects you do. We have arcitects coming to give lectures, and they get $200ph. Again, i dun think thats too much to them.
If you enter a global competition and win, thats a garanteed million dollar for you.
I've met a few ppl that are working in firms, and apparantly their bosses usually get at LEAST 3 big projects a week. i mean big by over 8000, but also even in the industry after uni, the workload is crazy. If you are the boss, dun expect to have "family" time...