Architecture Intern/Job (Chicago: unemployment rate, construction, university)

[brbeitia]

Hi everyone,

I am spanish architect, I've just finished the master in a really good spanish university. At the moment I'm working as an intern in Switzerland, but I would like to continue my carreer in the USA, specially in Chicago. So anyone knows how is the situation at the moment? and any interesting studio to apply??

Thank you very much.

Bea

[Jandur]

Architecture jobs have been tough to come by in the past few years. Construction is still pretty slow. I have a friend that did undergrad at MIT and his Masters at U of I and still couldn't find anything.

Internship might be possible. Hopefully some others can comment.

[jman07]

I read this week that architecture majors have a higher unemployment rate out of college than all other majors, even art. I also know for a fact that Chicago has higher construction unemployment that any other close by city or state, at least union construction. It's pretty bad here.

[ChikidII]

Actually don't bet on internships even. Firms are barely taking interns, because they barely have work for interns to do. All my friends that graduated from Architecture are currently unemployed or went to a different field. Right now is not the right time to come to the U.S. and work in architecture. If I were you I would look into possibly Latin America. Take a look at Chile and Brazil (I am sure you can pick up Portuguese fairly quickly).

[brbeitia]

Thank you very much. But because of personal reason I would like to stay close to Chicago. I don´t know maybe in other states such as Michigan, Milwaukee...I'm also landscape specialist. I would appreciate any suggestion.

Thank you in advance.

[gomexico]

Originally Posted by brbeitia

Thank you very much. But because of personal reason I would like to stay close to Chicago. I don´t know maybe in other states such as Michigan, Milwaukee...I'm also landscape specialist. I would appreciate any suggestion.

Thank you in advance.

Probably the only reasonable possibility of fulfilling your desire is for you to obtain a personal recommendation from a well-known architect where you're studying now to someone they know well in Chicago, or elsewhere. Professional firms have been cutting-back on internships, summer associates, etc. When they do hire them the intent is to recruit them for future full-time work. You'll have to be exceptionally talented in order to be considered ahead of USA trained or other well-connected intern prospects. What you want to accomplish isn't impossible. It will be difficult, however. I have nothing better to offer. Best of luck.

[brbeitia]

Thanks, I really appreciate all your opinions. If you could also advice which are the most demanding jobs at the moment? I have also worked as a Basketball coach for many years, Camp Counselor, Private tutor, Coordinator of foreign students...any advice if I would be luckier in this kind of jobs...at least for the beginning!!??

[myrc60]

You would do better to look for openings in Chicago and see where you can fit your knowledge. Careerbuilder is one place to start. There are other threads here where many others are mentioned as well.

[gomexico]

You'll need a visa in order to legally reside/work in the USA. Unless you already have one, that is. Your secondary skills won't be of much help gaining that government approval.

[RiverRise]

The timing of this post is funny. I was in front of an architect yesterday and he was telling his colleague how he would discourage students from studying architecture. He said the field has been bad since the 80s.