Finishing my 5 th yr in chicago and have been looking for an intern job for almost a yr now and nothing. I love this field and hope I don't end up in another just to pay my bills.
Is there anyone here looking for one or have any advise to help chances of landing one in this economy? For those who are dealing with the same thing what have you been doing in the mean time until things change?
Radiant, there are intern jobs out there, but in my experience, they are not going to be advertised - too many people will respond.
To get one, also in my experience, you will need to be exceptionally proficient (if not an expert) in AutoCad, Revit, Rhino, and the entire suite of CS4. Strong free hand drawing skills are also extremely desirable. Any other software, such as SketchUp, etc., will also help.
Interns are generally the "production" staff, i.e., they are responsible for turning the concepts of the higher ups into a buildable reality. They produce the Construction Documents (CDs).
Interns, generally, are a money hole. They are paid more than they generate. In normal times, this is accepted practice. Not now. There simply is no money to throw in the hole. The hole, for all practical purposes, does not exist. There is no money to "get you up to speed," so to speak. You already have to be "at that speed" to even be considered, hence the proficiency at all the above mentioned software.
If you don't have the above mentioned skills, then IMHO, that's where you need to start.
You can certainly still ship out application packages now, and maybe luck out with an offer, but you'll certainly improve your chances if you get yourself "up to speed."
If getting up to speed is going to take a while, then you'll have to consider something else for the time being. Only you can figure that one out.
I am familiar with all the programs and skills you said because I have used them to do my studio projects thats not a problem. If they are out there but of course they dont list them....so what is the approach suppose to be these days....because I have done everything short of go to the firms in person and ask about a job with my portfolio.
I mean people have lives, I'm engaged I have student loans I have bills I cant just just sit here for god knows how long until the architect field market gets better, which can be years. I killed myself to be an architect in college because I love it and I thought it would help me get somewhere. After all it is a specialized degree but I guess things have changed. I am beginning to give up on being an architect.
Get another temporary job to pay your bills while you're looking for an architecture job. In the current market nobody wants to take the risk of hiring regular employees(not just in architecture) let along hiring interns(paid interns that is). Since the current architectural education system is failing to prepare the students for the real working conditions,recent graduates don't get to have much value to the architecture firms and educating the interns costs both money and time.I think the best option now is to find contract jobs or freelance jobs like basic drafting jobs. No strings attached and you'll have a higher chance of getting hired by those firms you worked for because when a firm decides to hire employees they will first consider the person whose work they've already seen. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't applies here.That's what I'm planning to do but I don't know how to find them though..Anybody has advice?
I have been applying to all types of jobs, retail, waitress, admin, drafter, non architecture related internships, design internships not related to architecture, anything entry level, when you have to make a living you have to make a living.
....and Paradox I agree with you but about the drafter jobs, from my experience they are scarce now too....instead of having to pay a drafter for a drafter job they make the project manager or project engineer responsible for that to cut costs and they will do it along with their other responsibilities to keep their job.
I just was looking at the craigslist Chicago and theres actually quite a few beginner architect jobs, 1-5 years experience. Check them out. Even if you think your unqualified, a few them seem like per project basis type jobs for not a whole lot of money, but for a fresh from school grad it might be in line with expectations. Worth a shot.
I'm in second job hunt, looking for that elusive Intern Architect position. I've contacted over 200 firms in Chicago, and many of them have told me that they just aren't looking to hire anybody right now. I have competitive skills and experience...but nobody has the money.
Right now, I'm trying to figure out how I can advertise myself as a freelance intern architect. Perhaps doing drafting, digital modeling, or graphics for firms that can't afford to hire someone but need an extra hand on a project. Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time figuring who and how to contact in Chicago.
Otherwise, I'm looking for a job that isn't *too* far outside the field, but even that's proving to be a bit problematic. Like you say, one must make a living.
hobbesie I swear you remind me of me because I feel I def. have competive skills too but again I get responses that say if they were hiring they would hire me but they just aren't right now. Also, I feel the same way you do. I mean if someone can't get any intern architect positions with these skills, qualifications ,and education then at least it would be nice to do something related to an architecture degree. Unfortunately even that like you said is questionable now.
I feel most likely I will have no choice but to accept a job <if I'm lucky to have one offered at this point> whether it is design related or not for now............I guess I should try to put my faith in to say that if and when things do change that I will still be considered a qualified candidate <a 5 yr 100k prof. degree cant be worth nothing can it?> and not looked over because my previous job was not design related.
I didn't really understand how important this was until I graduated and started looking for work in a new city. I always thought a good portfolio would be the biggest factor in finding work, nope.
The way I found a job was by showing up at a firm the day a job was posted, dropping off my portfolio with the principal, and making small talk.
After he offered me the job he said it was because he thought I would be a good guy to work with.
Also, I used these podcasts to prepare myself for the interview, some are more helpful then others, but overall they are very good.
does anyone have any idea if chicago is doing worse than other parts of the country? because i sure feel like there's a lot (perhaps a disproportionate amount) of us complaining about the chicago job market.
i also feel like a lot of my graduating class who stayed east are employed (or at least half of us) while 4 out of the 6 of us who came to chicago in the past two years are unemployed/doing other things (admin assistant, working in a toy store). it also seems like the handful of people who headed further west are not doing so great in terms of jobs, but i'm not in so much contact with them.
anyway, am starting to think about another cross country move, or at least sending out packages with my friend's brooklyn address on it...
oh yeah, and how about talking about your (all academic) portfolio in an interview (should that happen?) does anyone have advice about that? ie time per project, getting the conversation to turn more into a conversation rather than just talking about the projects.... i've only had four architectural intern interviews ever (all in previous years) so i don't have a whole lot of experience with this.
what do interviewers want to hear about? more process? more general info about the project? more about what i was trying to achieve in studio and what i felt was successful?
i am looking for a position as well-graduate in May with my masters, and have extensive work experience, but hard to find something-I get the same response-we would love to hire you but we aren't hiring right now.
The few people I know that have found jobs were able to find them b/c of contacts in the company...so start networking and getting to know people in companies where you want to work. Either through AIA events, volunteering, lectures, etc. Start networking.
And in the meantime, just get a job that will pay the bills-no one will hold it against you-they will probably, actually respect your initiative.
One of my friends has been working in the field for several years in Milwaukee and has had her hours cut, only working 3 weeks a month, sometimes even less than that,
I'm supposed to be graduating with my BSAS in a month and I have no idea what I'm going to do after that, I'm considering applying for a Masters program for 2011, but my grades haven't always been so spectacular so I'm not so confident about that.
It seems all the firms around here either hire people they know (which I don't really know influential people in any firms) or they are only looking people with experience so they don't have to train them (which I don't have).
And if its bad for people with Masters degrees, any ideas on how someone with only a Bachelors can get a job in architecture? I always feel like I'm fighting with people who have more education and have real life experience, I don't know how I can compete with that.
I thought I was smart in getting a degree in something "practical" like architecture, I never thought I would be considering getting a job at Pier 1 with all the other Art History majors, lol. It took me 10 years working in customer service for minimum wage to pay for this degree, don't make me go back there!
from what I've seen, they only tend to hire interns with at least 2 years of experience, some ads even say "masters degree + 5years of experience, which is absolutely ridiculous!
I thought I was the only one who thinks its ridiculous out there!.......I feel the same way guys.... I was working as a teller and drafter in college making $11-18....and like an idiot I quit the drafter job 2 yrs ago to finish my degree.....now I cant believe I have to go back to those jobs....and seriously I was lucky to get a little over min wage :/
I am thinking about grad school but not arch, arch school almost killed me lol.. it would def. be something diff. just don't know what yet.
Nov 23, 09 12:06 pm ·
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Intern Architect jobs
Finishing my 5 th yr in chicago and have been looking for an intern job for almost a yr now and nothing. I love this field and hope I don't end up in another just to pay my bills.
Is there anyone here looking for one or have any advise to help chances of landing one in this economy? For those who are dealing with the same thing what have you been doing in the mean time until things change?
thanks
Radiant, there are intern jobs out there, but in my experience, they are not going to be advertised - too many people will respond.
To get one, also in my experience, you will need to be exceptionally proficient (if not an expert) in AutoCad, Revit, Rhino, and the entire suite of CS4. Strong free hand drawing skills are also extremely desirable. Any other software, such as SketchUp, etc., will also help.
Interns are generally the "production" staff, i.e., they are responsible for turning the concepts of the higher ups into a buildable reality. They produce the Construction Documents (CDs).
Interns, generally, are a money hole. They are paid more than they generate. In normal times, this is accepted practice. Not now. There simply is no money to throw in the hole. The hole, for all practical purposes, does not exist. There is no money to "get you up to speed," so to speak. You already have to be "at that speed" to even be considered, hence the proficiency at all the above mentioned software.
If you don't have the above mentioned skills, then IMHO, that's where you need to start.
You can certainly still ship out application packages now, and maybe luck out with an offer, but you'll certainly improve your chances if you get yourself "up to speed."
If getting up to speed is going to take a while, then you'll have to consider something else for the time being. Only you can figure that one out.
So it goes.
I am familiar with all the programs and skills you said because I have used them to do my studio projects thats not a problem. If they are out there but of course they dont list them....so what is the approach suppose to be these days....because I have done everything short of go to the firms in person and ask about a job with my portfolio.
I mean people have lives, I'm engaged I have student loans I have bills I cant just just sit here for god knows how long until the architect field market gets better, which can be years. I killed myself to be an architect in college because I love it and I thought it would help me get somewhere. After all it is a specialized degree but I guess things have changed. I am beginning to give up on being an architect.
Get another temporary job to pay your bills while you're looking for an architecture job. In the current market nobody wants to take the risk of hiring regular employees(not just in architecture) let along hiring interns(paid interns that is). Since the current architectural education system is failing to prepare the students for the real working conditions,recent graduates don't get to have much value to the architecture firms and educating the interns costs both money and time.I think the best option now is to find contract jobs or freelance jobs like basic drafting jobs. No strings attached and you'll have a higher chance of getting hired by those firms you worked for because when a firm decides to hire employees they will first consider the person whose work they've already seen. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't applies here.That's what I'm planning to do but I don't know how to find them though..Anybody has advice?
I have been applying to all types of jobs, retail, waitress, admin, drafter, non architecture related internships, design internships not related to architecture, anything entry level, when you have to make a living you have to make a living.
....and Paradox I agree with you but about the drafter jobs, from my experience they are scarce now too....instead of having to pay a drafter for a drafter job they make the project manager or project engineer responsible for that to cut costs and they will do it along with their other responsibilities to keep their job.
I just was looking at the craigslist Chicago and theres actually quite a few beginner architect jobs, 1-5 years experience. Check them out. Even if you think your unqualified, a few them seem like per project basis type jobs for not a whole lot of money, but for a fresh from school grad it might be in line with expectations. Worth a shot.
ya I check craigslist now and then....thanks Jack .....I'll try anything I have nothing to lose
I'm in second job hunt, looking for that elusive Intern Architect position. I've contacted over 200 firms in Chicago, and many of them have told me that they just aren't looking to hire anybody right now. I have competitive skills and experience...but nobody has the money.
Right now, I'm trying to figure out how I can advertise myself as a freelance intern architect. Perhaps doing drafting, digital modeling, or graphics for firms that can't afford to hire someone but need an extra hand on a project. Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time figuring who and how to contact in Chicago.
Otherwise, I'm looking for a job that isn't *too* far outside the field, but even that's proving to be a bit problematic. Like you say, one must make a living.
hobbesie I swear you remind me of me because I feel I def. have competive skills too but again I get responses that say if they were hiring they would hire me but they just aren't right now. Also, I feel the same way you do. I mean if someone can't get any intern architect positions with these skills, qualifications ,and education then at least it would be nice to do something related to an architecture degree. Unfortunately even that like you said is questionable now.
I feel most likely I will have no choice but to accept a job <if I'm lucky to have one offered at this point> whether it is design related or not for now............I guess I should try to put my faith in to say that if and when things do change that I will still be considered a qualified candidate <a 5 yr 100k prof. degree cant be worth nothing can it?> and not looked over because my previous job was not design related.
Meet people, and leave a good first impression.
I didn't really understand how important this was until I graduated and started looking for work in a new city. I always thought a good portfolio would be the biggest factor in finding work, nope.
The way I found a job was by showing up at a firm the day a job was posted, dropping off my portfolio with the principal, and making small talk.
After he offered me the job he said it was because he thought I would be a good guy to work with.
Also, I used these podcasts to prepare myself for the interview, some are more helpful then others, but overall they are very good.
http://www.manager-tools.com/podcasts/manager-tools
You never learn any of this stuff in school.
does anyone have any idea if chicago is doing worse than other parts of the country? because i sure feel like there's a lot (perhaps a disproportionate amount) of us complaining about the chicago job market.
i also feel like a lot of my graduating class who stayed east are employed (or at least half of us) while 4 out of the 6 of us who came to chicago in the past two years are unemployed/doing other things (admin assistant, working in a toy store). it also seems like the handful of people who headed further west are not doing so great in terms of jobs, but i'm not in so much contact with them.
anyway, am starting to think about another cross country move, or at least sending out packages with my friend's brooklyn address on it...
oh yeah, and how about talking about your (all academic) portfolio in an interview (should that happen?) does anyone have advice about that? ie time per project, getting the conversation to turn more into a conversation rather than just talking about the projects.... i've only had four architectural intern interviews ever (all in previous years) so i don't have a whole lot of experience with this.
what do interviewers want to hear about? more process? more general info about the project? more about what i was trying to achieve in studio and what i felt was successful?
i am looking for a position as well-graduate in May with my masters, and have extensive work experience, but hard to find something-I get the same response-we would love to hire you but we aren't hiring right now.
The few people I know that have found jobs were able to find them b/c of contacts in the company...so start networking and getting to know people in companies where you want to work. Either through AIA events, volunteering, lectures, etc. Start networking.
And in the meantime, just get a job that will pay the bills-no one will hold it against you-they will probably, actually respect your initiative.
One of my friends has been working in the field for several years in Milwaukee and has had her hours cut, only working 3 weeks a month, sometimes even less than that,
I'm supposed to be graduating with my BSAS in a month and I have no idea what I'm going to do after that, I'm considering applying for a Masters program for 2011, but my grades haven't always been so spectacular so I'm not so confident about that.
It seems all the firms around here either hire people they know (which I don't really know influential people in any firms) or they are only looking people with experience so they don't have to train them (which I don't have).
And if its bad for people with Masters degrees, any ideas on how someone with only a Bachelors can get a job in architecture? I always feel like I'm fighting with people who have more education and have real life experience, I don't know how I can compete with that.
I thought I was smart in getting a degree in something "practical" like architecture, I never thought I would be considering getting a job at Pier 1 with all the other Art History majors, lol. It took me 10 years working in customer service for minimum wage to pay for this degree, don't make me go back there!
from what I've seen, they only tend to hire interns with at least 2 years of experience, some ads even say "masters degree + 5years of experience, which is absolutely ridiculous!
I thought I was the only one who thinks its ridiculous out there!.......I feel the same way guys.... I was working as a teller and drafter in college making $11-18....and like an idiot I quit the drafter job 2 yrs ago to finish my degree.....now I cant believe I have to go back to those jobs....and seriously I was lucky to get a little over min wage :/
I am thinking about grad school but not arch, arch school almost killed me lol.. it would def. be something diff. just don't know what yet.
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