Forums >> Community >> The Studio >> Advice from Professional Architects/Architectural Technicians

Archi300

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Joined: Fri, Jul 24, 2015
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Hi I looking for advice from some professionals about the industry.

I graduated in 2010 with a degree in Architectural Technology when the industry was going through a difficult period and have been working in numerious unrelated job roles. I love architecture/architectural technology and have paid for CAD and Revit courses to keep myself as upto date as possible, but I am starting to lose my confidence that anything will happen now. I have applied for entry level positions and even asked for unpaid internships, but nothing has come of it. I am struggling to think of ways to be taken seriously and need advice where to go from here.

I know that a Revit forum is a weird place to ask for advice, but there seems to be lack of help from architectural websites and everyone seems to be helpful here.

Thanks

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WWHub

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Joined: Tue, May 16, 2006
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I doubt that we can give you much advice because a lot depends on where you are.   The number of potential employers, their size and work load varies.

In our area, we don't typically hire what we used to call Draftsmen.  The architect creates the documents (models), so almost all of our staff are at least graduate architects. 

I know that engineering still use technical staff to do their documentation so you might find more opportunity there.

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blue442

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Joined: Tue, Aug 25, 2009
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our office was searching for some time for a draftsperson.

Have you considered relocating.  I live in North Carolina, and it’s very busy.  We had to hire a firm to help find us a draftsperson.  Have you considered working for mechanical/electrical/structural?  I see a lot of cross over happening at times… 

Try looking into temp services.  Once you have a bit of expierience as a general drafter, you can change fields (Mech -> Arch) alot easier.I hope that helps. 

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Pitufo067

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Joined: Fri, Apr 27, 2012
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Hi Archi300. If you are interested in the field then keep looking. Don't let anyone discourage you. I received the exact same Arch Tech degree in 2012. Not sure if it was luck or just percistance on my part but I managed to keep my self employed in the drafting/design field. Since it is a dieing field all around (Architecture that is) it will be getting tougher to get into that dream path to drafting and designing beautiful structures unless you have a foot in the door. As I was warned throughout my college years and on, within the next 20 to 30 years Architecture will be a tough field to survive in. For that reason, it is probably hard to go into an Architecture site or community and expect anyone to jump for joy to hand you a scarse position. That said, there is no reason why you can't get into it now.

blue 442 is right about recruiting/temp/job agencies. I was fortunate to have an paid internship while getting my Tech degree. After graduating though my first oportunity came through a temp agency. I went on to get brought into the company directly. That is not always the case. Many times companies release their temporary employees after a project is done. You may get lucky like me and get good offers for contract/temp jobs. With the right company you will have a chance to get picked up directly after a few months. It all definitely depends on how much you really want it and what you're willing to do to get into the industry. If you live somewhere where there is nothing happening within this industry then you may have to relocate. You may have to take an unsecure Temporary/Contract position. You may have to start at a wage below average for the position. Either way that is all up to what you chose is right for you.

If you have no luck with jobs, one thing you can do is contact professors and schools in your area to see if they have any contacts that would be willing to take a chance on you. They typically save their contacts for their current students but if you illustrate your situation and really show that you want the chance then maybe they'll just show that architects are human.

Good Luck.

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