Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Thanks for the info, I figured I was gonna try to put something together to go after some PT or volunteer work just to beef up my resume a little bit, any suggestions on where the best places to look for NYC is? I have a couple sites linked but I always wonder if there is a better site to find things like that, or would I just be better off sending my info to firms that I would be interested in working with.
When I was in Portland, a friend of mine told me about a website that was great for making my own website, also have another one for uploading pdf files so that I can have a website link for my portfolio and other works. Figured I would spend some time this summer trying to put things like that together.
I don't know NYC very well. But, in general, if you go to a firm and tell them you want to stay active and be proactive, you don't expect a job (per se) but you'd like to 'intern' until you find a job in your field. Tell them you're looking for a reference from them and are willing to give them 100% to earn a good one. Caution: they might take you as an intern so they don't have to hire someone, so keep any internship you get as a temp/short term (maybe no more than 60-90 days) arrangement. Also, be aware, such internships usually consist of filing, running errands, etc.
I don't know NYC very well. But, in general, if you go to a firm and tell them you want to stay active and be proactive, you don't expect a job (per se) but you'd like to 'intern' until you find a job in your field. Tell them you're looking for a reference from them and are willing to give them 100% to earn a good one. Caution: they might take you as an intern so they don't have to hire someone, so keep any internship you get as a temp/short term (maybe no more than 60-90 days) arrangement. Also, be aware, such internships usually consist of filing, running errands, etc.
At least they probably don't have to worry about spending hours running blue-line prints, and getting sick/high from amonia fumes, anymore.
I don't know NYC very well. But, in general, if you go to a firm and tell them you want to stay active and be proactive, you don't expect a job (per se) but you'd like to 'intern' until you find a job in your field. Tell them you're looking for a reference from them and are willing to give them 100% to earn a good one. Caution: they might take you as an intern so they don't have to hire someone, so keep any internship you get as a temp/short term (maybe no more than 60-90 days) arrangement. Also, be aware, such internships usually consist of filing, running errands, etc.
Awesome, I will definitely keep that in mind while looking. I actually wouldn't mind doing that kind of work just to get myself started and start building some sort of connections here.
At least they probably don't have to worry about spending hours running blue-line prints, and getting sick/high from amonia fumes, anymore.
OMG, I had forgotten about that! Didn't it also smear? I seem to remember getting blue on my fingertips...and dark spots from looking at the light as the paper went through. It took practice to get the two sheets of paper right on top of each other as I fed them through 'the ringer'.
I went to college at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston with the intent of getting a degree in architecture so I could one day become a "licensed architect" I did end up getting a Bachelors of science in architectural engineering but I strayed from the "licensed architect as my end goal"
Currently I work at a medium sized engineering firm that does all aspects of the engineering as well as construction. My role is the CAD Specialist, I pretty much maintain the company standards, do CAD training, troubleshoot issues and questions, it can be pretty stressful, especially since we do all trades not just architecture, but keeps me learning something new everyday. I still get to work on architectural projects from time to time doing simple design and drafting so that I can be somewhat "billable"
Definitely didn't see myself doing this as my career when i was in college for architecture, and I'm not so sure it will be career forever, but for the time being its OK and it pays not too bad.
I'm not an architect myself, but have 2 sons who graduated from the program at Miami University (Ohio) and a daughter-in -law who completed the Architectural Engineering program at the University of Cincinnati. One son got laid off from several positions over the years, the last time was just after he completed work on a very important part of the Banks project in Downtown Cincy. He is currently working as a systems engineer at one of the IT firms in the Cincinnati area. Our other son got laid off also, the economy really hit the architectural field hard in SW Ohio. He started his own design studio to keep busy until things started to pick up again and has been keeping pretty busy. Our daughter-in-law has used her training and experience, as well as her other skills, and is the head of the marketing department at a major engineering concern in the area. None of them are doing exactly what they planned when they graduated, but they are doing OK.
I know several architects that have been "downsized". Some of been able to line up work in related fields (such as construction management ) but many have been unable to find anything that utilizes their skills and pays a decent salary at all. For those you spent 5+ years working on some esoteric things to earn and architecture degree and then be shut out of a field that does inspire a lot of passion has been devastating.
People with the fortitude to put aside their ego and switch to something that pays the bills must've learned some valuable lessons about growing up.
Congrats.
Needless to say I would not recommend pursuing such a path...
Quote:
Originally Posted by rrtechno
I'm not an architect myself, but have 2 sons who graduated from the program at Miami University (Ohio) and a daughter-in -law who completed the Architectural Engineering program at the University of Cincinnati. One son got laid off from several positions over the years, the last time was just after he completed work on a very important part of the Banks project in Downtown Cincy. He is currently working as a systems engineer at one of the IT firms in the Cincinnati area. Our other son got laid off also, the economy really hit the architectural field hard in SW Ohio. He started his own design studio to keep busy until things started to pick up again and has been keeping pretty busy. Our daughter-in-law has used her training and experience, as well as her other skills, and is the head of the marketing department at a major engineering concern in the area. None of them are doing exactly what they planned when they graduated, but they are doing OK.
I'm not an architect myself, but have 2 sons who graduated from the program at Miami University (Ohio) and a daughter-in -law who completed the Architectural Engineering program at the University of Cincinnati. One son got laid off from several positions over the years, the last time was just after he completed work on a very important part of the Banks project in Downtown Cincy. He is currently working as a systems engineer at one of the IT firms in the Cincinnati area. Our other son got laid off also, the economy really hit the architectural field hard in SW Ohio. He started his own design studio to keep busy until things started to pick up again and has been keeping pretty busy. Our daughter-in-law has used her training and experience, as well as her other skills, and is the head of the marketing department at a major engineering concern in the area. None of them are doing exactly what they planned when they graduated, but they are doing OK.
These are definitely dark times for the field. Since I graduated ('83) I've lived thru a few rough patches. Layoffs come with the territory, even for seasoned people with families to support. One has to take this into consideration when evaluating ones budget.
I think much better days are ahead. If your kids can get hooked up with firms that work globally they may experience some greater stability. The world economy keeps growing at a pretty steady clip.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Tough kids, probably raised right...
