Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)
Pratt Institute
University of Southern California (USC)
Tulane University
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
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Cranbrook Academy of Art
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
Kansas State University
Grad applicant w/no work experience
So I graduated with a BA in architecture from a liberal arts program. I never had arch internships while in school, because the plan was to work for 2-3 yrs after graduation before applying for grad school, but it seems like getting a internship/job with no experience/certification to speak of is a bit harder in this economy. (especially when it seems I'm going up against people who already have two masters) So the new plan is to continue searching for an internship for this year (hopefully I'll get one), working in an unrelated field, and to apply for grad school, so that by the time I enroll I will at least have a year (ish) of real world work experience (provided I find that internship).
My question is: WILL MY LACK OF WORK EXPERIENCE IN ARCH HURT MY CHANCES OF ADMISSION? I've searched the threads for answers to this, but only found one pertaining to ppl without a background in arch. But I DO have a background in arch. I took studio classes, and my admission portfolio would include more ugrad arch projects than it would fine arts (ceramics, sculpture, photography, etc.) OR does my lack of work experience mean that, despite my studies, I would be considered someone w/o a backgrnd in arch?
Part of the reason I planned to work a bit before school was so I could be able to afford it/ get a break from academic life. I still want the break and the chance to build capital, (a yr is time to do that, it's just not 2-3 yrs) but in this situation it sounds like it makes sense to complete my studies sooner rather than later. No?
Thanks in advance for any/all replies
I really think you should get a taste of what the profession's like before you commit to graduate school. Not to say you'll change your mind, but you might have new found and more professionally relevant interests...
Also, I don't think you will be building that much capital in one year...I would consider taking an entry level "educational" position at a firm. Don't look for dollar$! Even one of those 6 month "semester" long internships will do. Intern architects really range in age and level of experience- don't be fooled by the name intern! There are intern architects who have been working at places for years and just never moved up or got licensed.
I would recommend not trying to find a job in this economy. My husband and I have been looking for months with no luck, and we both have master's degrees and experience.
If you are interested in going to school right away now is a great time, give the 'ole economy a couple years to bounce back. If you do want to get some work experience, try a program that does co-ops (like UC), so you will graduate with some experience at a few different firms.
Emerson123, could you explain more about the co-ops program? And which university is UC? sorry, I am from New Zealand.
UC = University of Cincinnati http://daap.uc.edu/said/march/
get a night job that pays. something mindless like parking garage attendent. and then approach some architecture firms, explain your situation and propose an unpaid internship. although a real world portfolio doesn't have much to do with grad school unless you have worked in an office that is more studioesque. if you just work in an office doing renderings of typical types of buildings that get put up, who really cares? i'm sure the professors looking over portfolios would rather see something besides corporate office fare.
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