tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685608788672533401.post6120038221067034025..comments2022-04-05T03:02:08.815-06:00Comments on Intern 101: Lulu's Mailbag: I'm still unemployed; time to quit architecture?Lulu Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14713133001416080918noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685608788672533401.post-2222983353442288622011-05-19T13:46:46.788-06:002011-05-19T13:46:46.788-06:00Hey Lulu,
Thanks for posting. I am spending my ev...Hey Lulu,<br /><br />Thanks for posting. I am spending my evening google-ing for "I'm an unemployed architect"...and so I ran into your blog. The fact is I am not employed as an architect. I graduated with an MArch, top of my class in 2008 and have been struggling roughly since 2009 to get a job as a starting architect (I'm not American, but Romanian and have graduated in Bucharest). I've also asked myself the very same question: is it time to drop architecture?<br />I lost two job offers in 2009 because they were not exactly in building architecture (it was real estate and kitchen design) and the companies were small so I thought it would be a waste of time to get hired there. In any case, the next job offers came to me after about a year. <br />The moment I started getting a lot of feedback was when I made speculative applications to architecture and product design offices in Romania- I sent about 150 applications at a time (same cover letter, same cv, same portfolio- blind cc); I got 4 job interviews and 1 interview to discuss a possible contest collaboration. From these, I got one not-so-serious job in architecture (one month contract to be extended if things go well) and another job offer that came too late. In any case, I was working two weeks after this 'mass application' (after having been unemployed for two years). <br />Things 'didn't go well' and my contract was not extended (I think it was also an issue of convenience for my rather small employer who actually only needed me for one project). Anyhow afterwards I got a job in exhibition booth design- coincidentally I interviewed the same afternoon after getting fired in the morning and signed the contract one day after. So I have been designing exhibition booths for the last six months, which isn't quite putting my urban planning specialization to much use, nor my keen interest in urban theory. I'm not terribly happy with my present job, I'm smoking more, I'm reading about urban issues in my free time- at the expense of my personal life- and try to envision money and the uselessness of sitting home, every time I want to quit (which is pretty often). <br />I have recently faced the dilemma of further studies- I got accepted to some advanced programs, but I'd be spending all my savings on them (and I have won a studentship, covering my tuition fees!). In any case, my mind is made up after working in small design...but there is definitely the high risk of being even less employable after this masters (no way I could be going back to Romania- there is hardly any notion about the master topic there...I got my interests doing a lot of reading on my own). <br />One thing I have learned from my long unemployment time is to think carefully but move fast when it comes to jobs and career in general(my decision making process is considerably faster now :)). <br />Another interesting phenomenon, at least in Romania is people getting into architecture masters and phDs massively(the number of phD candidates increased 10x in Bucharest- yes I went to a phD examination too). However it doesn't seem to be the same elsewhere- or is it? <br />And another observation, also local- but perhaps it resonates, is that the job structure in architecture and related fields is mostly made up of very small offices and employers- which, I think, rendered them particularly vulnerable to the crisis and hence(thinking from an employee standpoint) terribly unstable as workplaces- even though the issue of job instability surely does extend beyond employer's economic (in)stability...and is something quite interesting to think about in general. <br />Anyhow, hope the post is of use to someone and not unbearably long. <br />Good luck with surviving all fresh architects. <br />IlincaIlincanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685608788672533401.post-25497408893439393352011-05-03T23:37:28.932-06:002011-05-03T23:37:28.932-06:00Dear Lulu,
First of all, I would like to say than...Dear Lulu,<br /><br />First of all, I would like to say thank you so much for your time and efforts. Since I graduated from college, I've been looking for an architecture job. I don't think I'm lacking any skill on computer programs such as Revit. May be not on expert level. But could work out in a month. Long story short, I didn't get any job though.<br /><br />Anyway, I sucked it UP! I worked for a research organization, and I also helped family business.<br /> <br />I even applied some grad school and got into some. But they're very very expensive and I wasn't so sure I can pay back the student loan. So, I deferred the admission. To be honest, I'm scare S***t out of paying skyrocketing tuition. I don't have trust funds. <br /><br />My question to you is <br />actually two of them...<br /><br />1. Do you think it is worth paying about $55,000 for the grad school? I got into two year program. I decided to not spend more than 30,000 on my M.Arch. I'm not cheap. Just not dare to spare every penny I'll be making.<br /><br />2. What is your opinion about all these super duper scripting amazing jaw dropping schools tuition fees. <br /><br />To be honest, I'm scare to see current recessions AGAIN! when I get my M.Arch. <br /><br />NOT PENNY ANTE from LaLaLandNOT PENNY ANTE from LaLaLandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685608788672533401.post-67487020053068426742011-05-02T12:43:01.329-06:002011-05-02T12:43:01.329-06:00Very interesting post, thanks! I am in a similar p...Very interesting post, thanks! I am in a similar position as K and I'd love to put my B.Arch degree to use in a well-paid career that does not involve architecture. I do not know what this career would be, I guess I always figured I'd work in a traditional architectural office setting. What are some of the careers I (and other recent graduates) could be well-suited for? I appreciate any feedback and thank you again for writing this blog!Magadanoreply@blogger.com