I have a Russian diploma (college) in technician with a degree in civil and residential construction.
I worked for 4 years, for 3 years I worked as an assistant architect, that is, I drew under the guidance of an architect. And for a year I worked as a design engineer, I developed drawings of reinforced concrete structures.
My first question is: with such a case, what can I count on here in the states? Now I live in Minnesota.
My second question is: Where can I find building codes here in the states? How to find drawing rules.
The third question is: do they hire people with poor English?
Building codes: type in upcodes and that will take you there, chose jurisdiction and year - Many structural engineering firms in US employ Russian for drafting and engineering.
IBC, NFPA, ADA Guidelines, totally depends on what you are working on and where but those are a few that at least my firm uses pretty regularly. I would also search your cities local department of construction and inspections or whatnot for more local adaptations of codes.
Forget about building codes and drawings standards for a little while. You won't need them in the beginning. Take Revit classes at the local community college. Or learn it online. You may not find a job with an architectural firm but you will find a job. With a contractor / fabricator or with an engineering firm. Also, if you are good at 3D modelling and rendering/visualization, that may help get a job with an interior design firm. Do not ignore kitchen showrooms. They offer jobs for people with drafting/modelling/design skills. After you start earning money, work on your English. ESL classes at a local college, again. After a year or two consider going back to school for a US Architecture degree. Make sure your diploma and transcript are translated and certified with an apostle. You may get some classes credited for those you took in Russia. What else... University of Minnesota offers a 5-year degree in Architecture. Find out what classes (usually there are some) you can take externally at a local community college for a university credit. Those cost less. Do not be afraid of student loans. The greatest mistake all new immigrants make is they are afraid of loans and settle for worse, subpar educational options that limit their future career prospects. Do not make that mistake. Also, if you are lucky to have a refugee status, you will get a lot of costs covered. It will take several years but you will get there. Good luck! DM me if you have other questions. I speak Russian.
vi_d has good advice. I would add a few things . . . .
I would NOT recommend the arch program at UofM unless you have scholarships.
Student loans are necessary however do your best to keep them low. Understand that your starting pay as an architectural intern in MN will be in the $40k range. You need to keep that in mind when amassing student debt.
Dunwoody likely has more affordable "skills" classes [drafting, some architectural design courses].
You might see if any firms have a russian speaker who could act as a mentor/translator [I've run across a few architectural designers in the MSP area from former soviet bloc countries]. There are a few larger AE firms around - there may be a role at one of these that might be a good fit too.
Jul 9, 24 10:43 am ·
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Russian education in USA
Hello!
I have a Russian diploma (college) in technician with a degree in civil and residential construction.
I worked for 4 years, for 3 years I worked as an assistant architect, that is, I drew under the guidance of an architect. And for a year I worked as a design engineer, I developed drawings of reinforced concrete structures.
My first question is: with such a case, what can I count on here in the states? Now I live in Minnesota.
My second question is: Where can I find building codes here in the states? How to find drawing rules.
The third question is: do they hire people with poor English?
Thank you! And good mood to all!
Building codes: type in upcodes and that will take you there, chose jurisdiction and year - Many structural engineering firms in US employ Russian for drafting and engineering.
I hear there will be plenty of new building opportunities in Ukraine soon. Maybe focus there instead?
as a matter of fact
IBC, NFPA, ADA Guidelines, totally depends on what you are working on and where but those are a few that at least my firm uses pretty regularly. I would also search your cities local department of construction and inspections or whatnot for more local adaptations of codes.
I lived and worked in MN for 12 years.
1. Your poor English will make it very difficult to be hired.
2. Building codes will not have 'drawing rules' in terms of graphic standards.
3. Most architectural firms in MN use architectural interns as their production / technical drafting staff.
Forget about building codes and drawings standards for a little while. You won't need them in the beginning. Take Revit classes at the local community college. Or learn it online. You may not find a job with an architectural firm but you will find a job. With a contractor / fabricator or with an engineering firm. Also, if you are good at 3D modelling and rendering/visualization, that may help get a job with an interior design firm. Do not ignore kitchen showrooms. They offer jobs for people with drafting/modelling/design skills. After you start earning money, work on your English. ESL classes at a local college, again. After a year or two consider going back to school for a US Architecture degree. Make sure your diploma and transcript are translated and certified with an apostle. You may get some classes credited for those you took in Russia. What else... University of Minnesota offers a 5-year degree in Architecture. Find out what classes (usually there are some) you can take externally at a local community college for a university credit. Those cost less. Do not be afraid of student loans. The greatest mistake all new immigrants make is they are afraid of loans and settle for worse, subpar educational options that limit their future career prospects. Do not make that mistake. Also, if you are lucky to have a refugee status, you will get a lot of costs covered. It will take several years but you will get there. Good luck! DM me if you have other questions. I speak Russian.
vi_d has good advice. I would add a few things . . . .
I would NOT recommend the arch program at UofM unless you have scholarships.
Student loans are necessary however do your best to keep them low. Understand that your starting pay as an architectural intern in MN will be in the $40k range. You need to keep that in mind when amassing student debt.
Dunwoody likely has more affordable "skills" classes [drafting, some architectural design courses].
You might see if any firms have a russian speaker who could act as a mentor/translator [I've run across a few architectural designers in the MSP area from former soviet bloc countries]. There are a few larger AE firms around - there may be a role at one of these that might be a good fit too.
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