Summer Opportunities - National Park Service

If not already, many architecture students have already begun searching for their summer opportunity -- employment, study abroad, etc.  However, if you have not started, there is still time, but for some the deadline is approaching. 

Below are opportunities not in a firm, but rather provide an unique chance to document historic structures through programs of the National Park Service.

Summer Opportunities:

Tompkins Fellowship

https://www.nps.gov/hdp/jobs/tompkins.htm

The Sally Kress Tompkins Fellowship, a joint program of the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH) and the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), permits a graduate student in architectural history or a related field to work on a 12-week HABS history project during the summer. The Fellow will conduct research on a nationally significant U.S. building or site, and will prepare a written history to become part of the permanent HABS collection. The Fellow's research interests and goals will inform the building or site selected by HABS staff. The Fellow is usually stationed in the HABS Washington, DC, office. Recipients are also required to upload a minimum of 50 images to SAH's SAHARA image database.

Architect Intern/Historic Preservation Technician

http://serve.gyfoundation.org/architect-intern-historic-preservation-technician/

The need for preserving all of our nation's history has never been greater, we're counting on you! HBCUI (Historically Black Colleges and Universities Internship) Program is a 10-week summer experience brought to you by Greening Youth Foundation in partnership with the U.S. National Park Service. As a part of HBCUI, students from schools around the country are putting their unique skills and talents to work in preserving the contributions of African Americans to our nation's history and culture. Participants gain real-world, on-the-job experience as they explore federal careers in the U.S. National Park Service.

Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)

https://www.nps.gov/hdp/jobs/summer.htm

The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) is the nation's first federal preservation program, begun in 1933 to document America's architectural heritage. Creation of the program was motivated primarily by the perceived need to mitigate the negative effects upon our history and culture of rapidly vanishing architectural resources.

Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP): Summer Architect

https://www.hispanicaccess.org/historic-american-building-survey-washington-dc

Historic American Building Survey (HABS) Architects measure buildings, landscapes, industrial structures, sites, and objects, including floating vessels, and produce existing-conditions drawings in Computer-aided Design (CAD), including drawings that interpret and explain industrial processes and engineering works. The position requires hand sketching and hand measuring in the field and the production of detailed, as-built, measured drawings of historic sites and structures in AutoCAD.

Dr. Architecture

Pre-Architecture Postitions

I am considering pursuing a M.Arch, but before making the time and financial commitment I want more first-hand insight into the profession of architecture, as well as gain some experience to help me through the M.Arch program. A job with an architecture firm would be ideal (I'm willing to do just about any kind of work, as long as I can observe the architects), but I've read those jobs are few and far between. I've read a good alternative is a job with a building construction company. If jobs with architecture firms are indeed difficult to find, what kind of jobs should I look for with construction companies? Do you have any other suggestions for pre-M.Arch jobs?
_____
I can certainly understand your desire to work in the field prior to committing to your studies, but depending on your background, this may be difficult even within a construction company. Many construction companies require union membership.

Instead, I would suggest you attempt to gain informational interviews with architects from different firms - small, large, etc. In this way, you see a diversity of experiences to aid in your decision.

Use the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects in your region or simply the Yellow Pages to aid you in identifying architects with whom to interview and meet. Are you near a school of architecture? Do the same with a school?

Dr. Architecture

Staying in Architecture

I am 27 years old. I obtained my BS in Architecture in 2005 from a NAAB accredited school. After graduation I started work as an intern at a respected small/ mid-sized residential architecture firm know best for traditional custom homes. Although traditional and classical styles are not my forte or particular passion, I thought of it as a great opportunity to learn more about them and get practical experience at a design-oriented firm. I always had good reviews about my work, but knew that to advance further I needed more education. So after working full-time for two years I returned to school in 2007 and continued working part-time at the same company. Since I was juggling a very tight schedule I thought that staying with the same company where I already knew the ropes would be the best thing to do at the time. Unfortunately the housing bubble burst and after asking all of the full-time employees to reduce their hours for six months the company had to start laying people off, including myself in February 2009. I then graduated with my Master of Architecture in May 2009.

Since then I have been looking for work and found few opportunities. I have been trying to stay in Atlanta because my significant other's career is taking off here and he has been getting a part time MBA. I truly believe that I belong in the design field in one respect or another, but I am beginning to wonder if I'm the only person that feels that way. I know that lots of people are out of work, but it's at an important point for me where I feel like I may have to leave to field. Can you recommend related careers that might not be so obvious? (I applied to be an architectural graphic designer -- sign design). Is it possible to get back to architecture after a departure from the field?
_________

First, I am sorry to hear that you lost your architectural position; as you recognize, the architectural profession has been hit very hard by the economic situation.

At this point, I suggest you consider yourself as a set of skills that are marketable to employers rather than a career title. Instead of using the title of architect as your goal in the short term, analysis what skills you have developed through your architectural education and position. What did you learn?

Perhaps, most importantly, you learned how to design and the design process which can be transferred to a number of other disciplines. I always joke that all you need to do is place a word in front of designer and you have a career, i.e., interior designer, furniture designer, exhibit designer, graphic designer, industrial designer. As well, graduates now have superb digital skills compared to graduates from the previous generation -- this particular skill can relate to web design, graphic design and the like. One of my former students actually designs wedding invitations as a side business.

Architects are problem solvers and every employment sector needs that skill. Architects learn how to be creative, communicate graphically and orally, participate in a team environment and construct models. All of these skills are transferable to other positions in the short term until the profession rebounds.

The following link on ARCHCareers.org has a list of related disciplines to consider:

http://www.archcareers.org/careerplan.html

Also, consider becoming an architect within employers other than traditional firms. Corporations, governments at all levels, educational institutions (teach CAD or drafting at a community college), developers, engineering and design firms all hire architects on staff or for contract work. Sometimes you have to think outside of the box.

Ultimately, you can reenter the profession, but the key is to stay engaged through reading, connecting with other architects (join the AIA or another professional association, maintaining or improving your skills, and set career goals that move you towards licensure; have your started your NCARB Council Record? In some states, you can actually begin to take portions of the ARE or you can gain credit towards IDP through community service or reviewing the EPC - Emerging Professionals Companion.

IDP at mid- or large-sized firm

I am currently finishing up my fourth year at a BArch program. I have held one internship at a mid-sized firm about a year ago, but I have not had any other relevant jobs/internships since then. I have finally decided to bounce back and apply for jobs again. Only this time I have some work experience on my resume, and I am specifically looking to start my IDP training.

Since I have only had one experience with one mid-sized firm, I am at a loss as to which firms to apply to. Should I stick with mid-sized or should I go for some of the bigger firms?
I'm looking to start my IDP training in a long-term position that will hopefully lead to full-time employment upon graduation. After getting laid-off at the previous mid-sized firm, I'm not so secure about working at the smaller firms; however how do the different sized firms compare in terms of IDP training?

Also, I know a good amount of people who have previously worked at a specific large firm; although that's good for getting referrals, it makes me wonder if the large firms are just one of those places where you work for a couple of years just to get the experience (and maybe the name) on your resume?
_________

Given the current economy, I would not worry so much about the size of the firm, but rather on landing a position.

You may also wish to focus your energies on those firms that provide excellent opportunities for staff as it relates to IDP. See the link below for a list of firms that have been awarded for their work related to IDP.

http://www.aia.org/professionals/groups/epn/AIAS075055

Dr. Architecture

Mechanical Engineer to Architect

I have a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and will sit for the PE examination in April. I am also a naval officer, currently working in academia, though I am nearing the end of my obligated service and thus am considering a significant career change.

I have long been interested in architecture, though the Navy has little need for their officers to have such an education, thus I have not had the opportunity to pursue this interest in any meaningful way.

To the point, do architecture firms hire engineers in any significant numbers? Or, should I take this G.I. bill and go back to architecture school?

Thanks for your time.
_________

I would say that architecture firms do hire engineers but not necessarily in significant numbers. As you will learn, most architecture firms are relatively small and probably simply consult with engineers instead of having them on staff. Those firms that do have engineers on staff will be much larger, perhaps above a staff of 100 or so. You may also wish to inquire with engineering firms that have architects on their staff.

Regardless, the true question is if you wish to become an architect or not? With your degrees, you are eligible to pursue the professional Master of Architecture (3-4 years) designed for those that have an undergraduate degree in another discipline.

Best!

Dr. Architecture

Seeking Employment Prior to MArch

I stumbled upon your blog, and subsequently purchased the 2nd edition of Becoming an Architect, which I've found to be very helpful. I graduated with a BA in English in 2007, and I’m hoping to go back to school to earn a MArch starting in summer 2011. The upcoming year will give me ample time to research schools, take the GRE, prepare a portfolio, and submit applications, but I’m also looking for a job. I’m currently filling a full time interim position through the end of July, but I have no interest in becoming a permanent hire. Assuming I get accepted to a MArch program, I would be facing about 10 months of “down time” between the end of my current position and the start of school in the summer. I’m wondering if there’s any chance of finding immediate employment in an architecture-related field (not as an architect, of course, but something that would allow me to network and learn more about the field). Do you think there's any chance of this happening? Is it even worth the effort?

Thanks in advance for your help!

_______

As you must know, the economy has hit the architecture profession very hard. Because of this, many firm are not currently hiring; however, if your desire is to network and learn more about the field, there are ways to do this without seeking employment. Of course, you can certainly attempt to gain a position.

To network, visit architecture lectures at area architecture schools or other cultural institutions. Even consider joining the AIA (American Institute of Architects) to start networking and learning the profession. To learn more, read the literature, consider attending a summer program, and possibly take a course as a non-degree student.

I hope this is helpful. Thanks!

Dr. Architecture