Chapter 4
Internship Tips
Can’t get them, can’t get a job without one. I think that’s how the saying goes. Internships, most of us think of running to get someone’s dry cleaning or coffee all day without getting paid in order to “get ahead." However, I think the movies have done a good job at creating that stereotype because fortunately, we get treated like people now and for us that means minimum wage and a title change from intern to “design professional” or “architectural associate”. But they aren’t all bad, they present opportunities to glance at life in the real world of architecture, they get your foot in the door and they introduce you to the techniques that are used at firms such as the use of digital programs and what it’s like to actually interact with a client. For most budding architects their first internship during school is an eye opener to how life will be like outside of the design bubble we experience during school. There’s a budget, almost no graphic design, code (the least fun part), and countless other less glamorous aspects that we never got exposed to. However, they are an important part of your professional career and it is something I highly encourage young professionals to do.
Now, I didn’t say it would be easy to obtain. There is a lot of time and energy spent researching, applying and interviewing. I’m sure most of us had a job throughout high school or college and we did an interview in order to receive one of those jobs but it’s still very different when you enter the corporate world. As architects not only do we have to put together a resume and cover letter like everyone else but we also have to put together a portfolio that showcases our design work. I believe that’s the thing that gives us an advantage on applications for other jobs. We get the opportunity to actually show an employer our skills before we even begin working. That way, whether or not you get a job isn’t solely based on your experience level, where you went to school or achievements alone but it’s also based on your talent and design skills. A piece of advice that a past employer once told me and has always stuck with me is when it comes to your resume and obviously your portfolio, is to remember that you’re a designer, show that through these documents. That’s not to say you need to add some crazy art to your resume but perhaps a border, or a bit of color. A design element that shows you’re applying for a designer position not a marketing position. There’s plenty of examples to look to if you’re struggling or need a template to begin. I used issuu.com for good examples and worked closely with my professors to help curate a well designed portfolio. Internship tips
(check out my portfolio if you're in need of some inspiration)
Everything in life is about who you know and that also applies when it comes to getting jobs. It’s crucial that you leverage your network and take advantage of your resources. If you know someone in the field even if your mom’s cousin's uncle that is an architect, exercise that connection because that internship could open up many different avenues. I had an internship in between my junior and senior year of undergrad, I went to the job fairs and I just about applied to every single internship in my city and I just wasn’t getting any hits. My dads best friend from childhood happened to go to the same undergrad as me and studied architecture, he moved to San Diego where he now is one of the principles at a medium sized firm, right in front of me was an opportunity through a connection. So that summer of 2019 I moved out to San Diego for the summer and worked my first architecture job. I learned so much, got to live in a different environment outside of my comfort zone and fell more deeply into my career. If it wasn’t for that connection, who knows what would have happened. I graduated from undergrad with some experience under my belt and then got my first job. I took a year in between graduating to work and then continued my education. After my first year of grad school I had to decide if I wanted to go back to being an intern or simply do nothing for a summer. It can be a little discouraging being 25, in graduate school and going back to being an intern after a full year of a full time position but again it’s all to grow your career. I began the process all over again and applied to every single position I could in the city alongside all of my classmates and the two other architecture schools in the area with students also looking for positions. I had absolutely no connections to utilize at this point. I didn’t know anyone in LA and hadn’t made any close connections with my professors who could recommend me to any firms. I had applied to this very large corporate firm and I had the only interview I had gotten that summer and somehow landed the position. I ended up working there all summer and they even allowed me to stay on during the fall and I worked during school. This time I can actually credit myself and only myself for getting the position. So not necessarily can you only get a job by someone you know but just based on your talent alone.
If I can give any advice I would advise you to always advocate for yourself. No one is going to do it for you. It’s even something I’m still learning to do now at 26 with a full time position, but especially when you are in your early 20s with your first professional job. When you come across well spoken there is nothing that could be more impressive to an employer no matter the position you’re trying to get. So really this advice can go to anyone looking to get a job. Sell yourself, have confidence, you made it this far didn’t you? Of course it can be intimidating sitting in a conference room with other superiors but this is your time to show you stand out from the others. Make sure you can explain your portfolio well. Don’t say “I did this and then I did this and then I did that” no one wants to hear that and frankly it’s boring. Instead of simply describing your projects chronologically, use reviewer feedback to craft a compelling narrative that highlights your design process and achievements, the interviewers don’t know your projects. We all want the job, that’s why we’re interviewing in the first place but don’t sell yourself out. If it isn’t a fit, it isn’t a fit. You have to also put your priorities first and don’t be afraid to voice what you're looking for in a position. Do you want to do commercial, residential, healthcare? Do you want to design or learn the technicalities? What are your preferences, this will only benefit you. Lastly, pay. I think this is what everyone is afraid to discuss. It’s very intimidating and a lot of the time people don’t know what to ask for so they just settle. Don’t be afraid to negotiate, that what people expect and always remember, the worst they can say is “no.” I always aim higher than what I want and a lot of the time it’s worked in my favor. So just remember, don't be afraid to speak up. ASK QUESTIONS. At some point set your pride aside and if you don’t know what something means, why is it that way, or what it does? Just ask, that’s the only way you’ll ever learn, even if it’s the simplest things, asking questions shows that you’re genuinely interested in learning more. These are just a few things that can allow you to have a successful and exciting internship.
I will have to say having an internship at some point during both your undergraduate and/or graduate career is very important. There are certain things internships expose us to that we don’t typically see in school, the main one being that architecture is a lot more technical than we’re led to believe. Don’t get me wrong, I learned a lot during my internships and they set me up for success when I graduated and began working, but I wasn’t doing glamorous work by any means. During my two internships I was given tasks such as model making, looking up code, and even some design but I also was taught the different phases of design such as the design development step, construction documents and how to respond to plan check and RFI’s. So, never take these opportunities for granted, they will almost always present themselves again at some point in your career. Internships are a fantastic way to build your professional network. You'll meet established architects, engineers, and other industry professionals. These connections can be invaluable when searching for future job opportunities or seeking mentorship. A majority of the time when looking for a full time position after school these places you interned at will be at the top of your list and vice versa. These employers will already know what type of employee you are and when it comes down to choosing someone for a position they will most likely go with the person they have that built connection with.
An architectural internship is an investment in your future. It's a chance to gain invaluable experience, develop essential skills, and build a network that will propel you towards your dream career. So, start searching, land that internship, and get ready to build your future.