Tuesday, September 14, 2010

"Which way is the wind blowing? Or is it blowing at all?"

After sitting in on an AIAS (American Institute of Architects - Students) lunch lecture I was assured of the harsh reality of the job market awaiting me post-graduation, but was also surprisingly encouraged.  A local principle at Tryba Architects, Chris Nims, who is also a staff member here at the University spoke on his perspective that this is one of the worst recessions that he has seen in his career.

I met Chris Nims about a year ago when, optimistic but scared little 1st year graduate student was I, met with him to gain advice on entering the Architecture world.  It was accurate that I should be intimidated by him, because I left that first visit feeling extremely overwhelmed and scared for all of the work and "networking" that stood between me and my dream job.  Most importantly, before I could really do anything, I needed an internship.  How do you get an internship, one could wonder, without any experience?  I was lost.

Since that intimidating day a year ago, I feel I have pushed forward and have earned the right to call myself an "intern architect" with a plan of breaking into the profession.  Chris spoke during today's lecture about the ways that I can advocate for my own career and create opportunities wherever I am at.  Of the things he listed that I should be working on now (the same list he presented me with a year ago) I can now confidently say that I am either already doing many of these, or have a plan in place to do them very soon.  Some of these items include:

  •  Gain Experience - my wonderful friend and current colleague, Tiffany Cellura whom I met 6 years ago at a Junior College in Los Angeles helped me to attain the incredible architectural internship job that we both currently hold.
  • Demonstrate leadership - A leadership roll at my current internship recently fell into my lap and I feel (a little overwhelmed) but also valued.
  • Spread  your Network - this was by-far the scariest of them all.  Currently I am meeting with female architects I have met through friends, getting to  know them and their careers.  I also am planning to attend many of the AIA upcoming events.  Both of these scary types of "networking" are less intimidating when they can be done with/through friends, rather than via cold calls and events.
  • Make your portfolio stand out - I am in a Digital Portfolio class this semester that is extremely challenging but will force me to push my limits and finish with a final (very good) product. 
I do hope and pray (starting early) for an awesome job come May.  I do trust that God will provide something when the time comes.  Even if this something is my back-up plan of opening a bakery with Tiffany :-)

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