don't make smoke screens..... just be yourself and do what you like..... there's tooo many people that do something just to do it thinking that it will make shyt happen.....

also look at your debt/salary ratio after the fact........

Be upfront and honest. Contact a ton of firms, telling them your situation. Sell them not on your skills neccessarily, but your attributes (mature, eager to learn, etc. as really that's what you have to offer).
Be prepared to work for little / nothing. I know this last point will get me roasted by many of the "value yourself / profession" crowd, but it's the reality....and not just in architecture. You don't have the education or the experience at this point, so you can't expect to be compensated much.

If the idea of working for free in a firm doesn't sit well with you, you could always try to "volunteer" somewhere else. There's probably a plethora of not-for-profit art organizations in the NYC area, or you could do some work for community groups or housing initiatives like Habitat for Humanity.
Maybe the Storefront for Architecture even?

Tell them you won't need any sleep and will pay them for the opportunity.




FYI - you need something to have something to offer them. No one, particularly with the massive layoffs, will want to be teaching anyone basic things. I'd start learning the programs asap (3D Studio, SU, PS, ILL, ACAD, Etc., etc.)

"Be prepared to work for little / nothing. I know this last point will get me roasted by many of the "value yourself / profession" crowd, but it's the reality....and not just in architecture."


From the Federal Department of Labor:
In the US, getting paid less then minimum wage is a violation of federal law under the Fair Labor Standards Act and in many cases state laws:

The federal minimum wage is $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008; and $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Many states also have minimum wage laws. In cases where an employee is subject to both state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher minimum wage.

Employees may find out how to file a complaint from local Wage and Hour Division offices : http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/america2.htm

, or from the program's toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAG


Unpaid internships are illegal. If you want these sorts of things to stop, refuse to take them. The economic climate is an unacceptable excuse, akin to saying that the legality of prostitution should be tied directly to metrics of GDP growth.

beaver,
unpaid internships are not illegal. They are very common and very legal as long as it is mutual agreement between employer and the intern. With that said, employers can and will use the interns to get work done, but I agree with you that nobody should offer those free services. More people offer free services, better it is for big/small firms and they will always say "Well why would I pay you, if I can get somebody else for free", which is so much bullshit especially with this economic situation and our industry being affected the most.

and I just wanted to add that some investment banks pay huge amounts for their interns and most of law firms pay about 2000-3000 a week for their interns. Our industry should step up and make us get paid1

Ok, so I'm neither American nor a legal expert, so I'm not going to wade into US Federal Labor (God it taxes me to spell it like that!) Laws, but I think we need to make a distinction between

1) an intern architect
and
2) an architectural intern

one has completed an education in architecture and is in the process of becoming a licensed member of the profession. The other, is (technically speaking) unqualified. Unfortunately, you're going to get compensated accordingly.
In the OP's case, he doesn't have the degree or the experience, so I don't think it's reasonable to expect a lot of money (especially in this economy where plenty of qualified architects are supposedly without work).
.... That's why I suggested he pursue other opportunities outside of the traditional office environment... The kind of work that would probably be (educationally at least) a lot more fruitful at this stage in his career anyways.

and poopy, no "most of law firms" absolutely do not pay 2000-3000 a week. That's just false and you know it. The median salary for a lawyer (ie not an intern) starting out is 56 600 / year.

I'm not talking about salary, I'm talking about summer interships....two different things. And no I do not know it since some of my family members, nieces are young professionals in the law industry. So I do know what I'm talking about!