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fbdesigns
Joined: 03 Nov 2008
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:08 pm Post subject: Job Situaiton, Need Advice |
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Hello everyone and Thanks for looking into my post,
I’m in need of some desperate advice, below is my profile:
Education:
M.Arch. Oxford, UK (Not accredited by NAAB)
BFA, Industrial Design, Detroit Michigan
Currently studying for LEED-NC AP exam (scheduled for December)
Work Experience:
1yr as Assistant Architect in Pakistan
2yrs as Graphics Designer in Toronto, Canada
Portfolio & Resume: www.pivotalaccess.com/faisalbashir.pdf
Although it was a great program, I’ve come to the realization that I’ve messed up by going for a Non Accredited M.Arch. I don’t know why I made such a poor decision and I absolutely regret it.
I am having a very hard time finding work in North America. I’ve applied for the positions of Architectural designer/technologist/visualizer, all the way to Junior Draftsman. Right now, I am willing to take any post, as long as I can get my foot in the industry. It’s apparent that I’m doing something really wrong while applying for jobs. I am taking into account the current economic situation.
Please, give some advice or pointers as to what I should or shouldn’t be doing; or if I should even bother applying for certain jobs?
I would like to work within the Architectural discipline, which in future, will help me get through a NAAB accredited M.Arch program.
Thanks
-Faisal |
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Antisthenes
Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 688
Location: Phoenix
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 10:50 am Post subject: |
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facilities manager?
_________________
The most necessary/useful piece of learning is that which unlearns what is untrue: 'evil'
may be acquired, Happiness through virtue which is based on knowledge!/? |
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tertiary77u
Joined: 18 Sep 2008
Posts: 2
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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Wow..I really don't know what to tell you. Right now, everything is difficult to get into. Very few companies are looking for entry level experience for expansion or learning on the job situations.
Honestly, I would just keep checking large job databases (Careerbuilder, Monster, etc.) and type in words like "entry level". That is probably going to be your best chance.
Plus, a lot of companies are not willing to pay moving costs...so if you are asking for that, then I would advise against it. Dip into savings or some kind of credit to pay for your own. Everyone is looking to save a buck right now. |
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lugray
Joined: 06 Nov 2008
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 3:47 pm Post subject: ideas |
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Try finding your own clients. You don't need to be a registered architect to design houses and small private structures in the states.
Or go for the very big corporate firms who already have thousands of registered architects on staff - they may not care as much about your education as long as your work is good. Or look for model building jobs.
peace
Lucas
www.talkitect.com
www.byworldofmouth.com |
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WalkerARCHITECTS
Joined: 25 Sep 2007
Posts: 51
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| Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:43 am Post subject: Bridges over uncertainty |
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Knowledge is not the same as education. A diploma is a symbol that represents that knowledge has been installed by a respected process. Work experience and recommendations from respected firms is significant as well. A diploma is a passport to opportunity as is work experience and personal relationships can help you connect to employment. Currently you are something of a stranger in a strange land. The firms have you pegged as the son of a wealthy man because of the Oxford degree.
You have the prerequisite knowledge, a diploma, and the desire to be an architect. What you have not achieved is a viable passport to a career in architecture in the US because your master degree is not accredited by the NAAB. You need to acquire work experience and only a firm that needs you is going to hire you. Your resume must focus on what you can deliver that others cannot.
Your degree from Oxford is perceived as a prestigious degree in America. So lead with your strength and explain your educational accomplishment. Show photographs of the projects done in your resume. Show good work. Your objective is employment to acquire experience and also thereby empower access to an accredited program.
Oddly, I suspect that the reverse order of your priorities, embodies a better strategy. A local student has better access. Education is expensive so talk to universities and discover how many credits you can transfer to their program. Enroll somewhere in an NAAB program and then look for work in architectural offices close at hand. Tell prospective employers that you are seeking full time work while you acquire an additional masters degree in an accredited US program. Write to firms and correspond with them about their work. There may be work study programs available at the university or you might meet someone and connect through a new association to a job.
In the meantime contact firms and offer to do work as an outsource service provider. The firm may need an intern who can write more than they need an intern who can draw. If you graduated from Oxford I am very certain you can write better than the competition.
Last but not least send me your resume. I will give you some feedback.
TLW
P.S. Identify states that will let you qualify for the exam on the basis of work experience, I think there still are some. |
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lekizz
millennium club
Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 1130
Location: UK
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| Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 3:45 am Post subject: |
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>>> Your degree from Oxford is perceived as a prestigious degree in America <<<
Bear in mind this is Oxford Polytechnic we are talking about, which rebranded itself (like other Polytechnic college) as a university in the 1990's. Mind you, Oxford Polytechnic always had good standardsand their architecture courses are highly regarded in the UK, I believe they get a good crop of tutors because of their proximity to London. They rejected me for an art course in the 1980's but offered me a place on their architecture course in the 'noughties', so I have mixed feelings about them, haha.
If your potential employers believe you are a graduate from the prestigious Oxford University then that is their problem, I'm sure you will not try too hard to correct them  |
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innova+e
Joined: 21 Dec 2007
Posts: 46
Location: lisbon
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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stop looking for entry level then. sell yourself well, and believe you can do the work well beyond what you feel you can. This is the best way to learn. swim by submerging. good luck.
ps. why just interested in the USA ? there are other countries that regard architects as much more important in their role than in the states. just a thought. |
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