Any architect- or budding architect-types in here? Advice please

oops…the last paragraph should read, the school you attend…

The networking depends a lot on the school. Drexel, because it is an evening program taught by practicing architects (when will they get it right :slight_smile: ) and attended by people working in the field, is a goldmine of contacts. Some of my classmates worked for teachers, one of my studiomates took a position that another had just vacated. Plus they have a job board where local firms post job notices. Schools that are more traditional will have fewer people involved in the profession on a day-to-day basis.

But everyone knows everyone in the town. Recommendations from teachers and jurors are always useful.

There are some paths in the practice of architectural, particularly in theoretical researches, for which there is no substitute for contacts made at a very high academic level (i.e Harvard, Columbia, et al)

For people who want to practice AS architects, you have a wide range of opportunities. If you want to work for a big, well-regarded design firm that receives dozens of resumes every week, then contacts can be crucial. Ideally, when a firm like Frank Gehry’s or Steven Holl’s needs to hire, they already know whom they want by reputation.

Huge commercial firms like HOK, KPF, SOM, et al do pay attention to what school you attended, but I think an M.Arch from any accredited program would open the doors there at least for an interview.

Small firms will rely more on the resume and will interview people looking for a good “fit” (which is difficult to prepare for)

In all cases, for first jobs out of school what’s going to be important during an interview is your portfolio and your career goals. Unless you’re known personally or by reputation to the principals, it will always come down to the portfolio.

Summary answer: It’s the type of career you want in architecture that determines the importance of networking. If networking is going to be important, the choices are clear.