Architectural Technology Career Insight by LJMUCareers

Architectural Technology CAREER INSIGHT

LJMU CAREERS TEAM 0151 231 2048/3719 ❚ careers@ljmu.ac.uk

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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology

Introduction A career in Architectural Technology enables you to apply your problem solving, drawing, design and maths skills to technical designs to allow structures and buildings to be built. Building up contacts and networking will be an important step to gaining work experience so try and do this early on. Gaining relevant experience before getting a graduate job is really important. We would recommend trying to secure experience during semester or vacation times by contacting relevant employers and recruitment agencies with a strong CV showcasing your skills and attributes. You could make a start by attending relevant events through your free student membership with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT). You should also consider setting up a LinkedIn profile and following relevant organisations and jobs boards through Twitter. Many employers use social media to post work experience opportunities so take advantage of using the sites to help you make links and find out more about what opportunities are out there.

Career options: Architectural Technologist Architectural technologists deal with the technical side of design and work with architects to ensure that designs perform as they should. The following skills are important for entry into the profession:       

Excellent drawing and design skills with a good eye for detail; Strong technical and maths skills; Excellent communication skills, both written and oral and the ability to build and maintain relationships with other professionals, clients, etc.; Good leadership skills and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team; The ability to solve problems with a logical and practical approach; Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work to deadlines; Creativity and imagination

To become a Chartered Architectural Technologist you will also need to complete the Professional and Occupational Performance (POP) Record after your degree programme. A full overview of the Architectural Technologist role can be found on the Prospects website - http://www.prospects.ac.uk/architectural_technologist_job_description.htm Project Management

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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology

Project managers oversee projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and on budget, and take responsibility for overseeing everyone’s roles. They can work across a number of different sectors and work throughout the different stages of a construction project from initial design, to planning resources, managing budgets, managing deadlines through to completion and handover. Facilities Management Facilities management involves the co-ordination of both technical and general services to ensure that a building runs smoothly. There has been an increasing demand for specialist facilities services which has resulted in opportunities for facilities managers. In this diverse role, facilities managers make sure that an organisation has the most suitable working environment for its employees and their activities. Facilities managers are involved in both strategic planning and day-to-day operations in areas such as: building and grounds maintenance; health and safety; procurement and contract management; security; and, utilities and communications infrastructure. Opportunities exist in all sectors and industries which can result in a diverse range of job titles – operations, estates, technical services, asset or property manager. Example employers could be in either the public, private or nonprofit sectors such as hospitals, schools and colleges, local councils, shops and business parks, stadiums or specialist facilities management providers and consultancies. Previous graduates from the Architectural Technology course have undertaken a wide number of job roles after graduation in addition to the role of Architectural Technologist. Other roles have included Technical Designer, Assistant Site Manager and project management. We would encourage you to consider possible options before you complete your studies, e.g. based on previous work or voluntary experience, skills and interests. The majority of students studying vocational courses such as Architectural Technology will naturally enter such roles. However, Architectural Technology graduates are able to undertake roles other sectors due to their technical and problem-solving skills and it is estimated that approximately two-thirds of graduate jobs or open to all graduates regardless of course of study. To explore job options by sector, check http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm.You can also use career planning tools like http://www.prospects.ac.uk/myprospects_planner_login.htm and http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report to generate initial career ideas. We also recommend that you download a copy of our “Planning your Career” guide from the Careers website at http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm This includes a list of useful questions to help you explore your career options and introduces you to the DOTS model to help you with your career planning.

Possible employers 

Private construction firms and contractors, for example: o Balfour Beatty: www.balfourbeatty.com/graduates o AECOM: http://www.aecom.com/Careers

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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology

Michael Dyson Associates Ltd: www.mdyson.co.uk Ramboll : www.ramboll.co.uk/careers Architectural practices – see the RIBA website to search for practices Property developers Building and construction firms Planning departments and local authorities: http://www.ngdp.org.uk/, http://www.lgjobs.com/, www.faststream.gov.uk Housing groups and charities Property departments of retailers o o

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Ensure you check entry requirements for each area, e.g. will you need a degree in a specific subject? Is a 2:1 degree classification essential? Will you need to complete a postgraduate degree or accredited training with professional bodies? Is any specific work experience required? Useful links/websites          

School of the Built Environment job website - http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/blt/ LJMU My Jobs & Placements - http://ljmu.prospects.ac.uk/ Gradcracker – Engineering and Construction – www.gradcracker.com Prospects – Careers information and graduate jobs – www.prospects.ac.uk TargetJobs - Careers information and graduate jobs – www.targetjobs.co.uk Bromak (Construction Recruitment Agency) - http://www.bromak.com Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists – CIAT – www.ciat.org.uk RIBA appointments: http://www.ribaappointments.com/ Careers in Construction – Jobs and careers information www.careersinconstruction.com/ Construction News – keep up-to-date with sector news - www.cnplus.co.uk

Follow relevant companies/websites through Twitter: @LJMUCareers @RIBAjobs

@gradcracker @AByrneLJMU

@CIATechnologist

Sources of work experience As part of your studies you will have the opportunity to complete a work placement. Gaining work experience in the construction sector is really important for your future career so you should definitely consider this option. Many of the large recruiters have summer and year-long placement opportunities available to those on degree programmes, which are usually advertised through websites such as Prospects, Targetjobs, Milkround and Gradcracker. The websites listed previously should be your first port of call when researching possible placement opportunities and your Careers Adviser, Andy Byrne, may have additional

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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology

examples of possible employers who offer these opportunities. Some large employers will offer summer or sandwich placements year after year but you can also secure work experience through a more creative approach. Contacting companies directly through networking events, via email or through LinkedIn may lead to work experience. The School of the Built Environment has a specific member of staff (Angela Clarke) to support students in securing a year-out placement, and jobs are placed on https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/blt/ When contacting companies directly through networking events, via email or through LinkedIn, it is important to demonstrate that you are interested in the company and have spent some time researching what they do. Even when applying to secure work experience for the first time in this industry, show the employer what you have to offer. Briefly outline the relevance of your course. Look at the skills outlined above and try to discuss these in your CV, drawing on examples from your course and other work experience or extra-curricular activities to demonstrate these skills. LJMU has also been facilitating a summer internship programme for Level 5 students in recent years, so keep an eye on your LJMU inbox in semester 2 for details of any opportunities.

Recruitment schedules Most work in this field will be through small or medium sized enterprises/businesses (SMEs). These types of companies don’t usually have structured training schemes but will recruit ‘as required’. They may use their own application form but most applications will be by CV and covering letter. These positions will be advertised on company websites, relevant recruitment websites and national and local newspapers. The ‘creative’ approach to job hunting, outlined above, is also important when looking for graduate roles. Making contacts and approaching organisations speculatively to look for work is a common route into employment. A small number of graduate training schemes may be available with large companies, such as Balfour Beatty. If you are interested in these roles you will need to be aware of the graduate recruitment cycle. Many recruiters begin the graduate recruitment process during the autumn term for final year students. Some placements are advertised then as well. Most closing dates are in November and December but some are earlier so it is important to start researching companies that you want to apply to early on. However, a number of large recruiters will continue to recruit throughout the year. You can get advice about the recruitment process and feedback on your applications by booking a one-to-one appointment with a Careers or Employability Adviser in the Byrom Street Careers Zone.

Key events and networking

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The Faculty of Engineering & Technology Careers Fair : Takes place annually in October

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Liverpool Careers Fair: usually held in the autumn and spring of each year, see fairs website http://www.liverpoolfairs.org.uk/ for additional events

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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology

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Careers and Employability events at LJMU: Keep an eye on our events pages at https://worldofwork.ljmu.ac.uk/events for details of upcoming employability workshops, networking sessions and employer talks.

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Manchester Careers Fairs: open to students and graduates from any university; check www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/events/ for details

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LiverpoolSU Clubs and Societies: http://ljmu.unioncloud.org/groups#club-society

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LinkedIn: You could also consider setting up a LinkedIn account (www.linkedin.com/) to network online with professionals and organisations in your chosen industry

Other information LJMU Centre for Entrepreneurship – Support for LJMU students and graduates interested in starting up their own business. Further details can be found here: https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/startup including funding available, eligibility, timescales and training dates.

Careers Zones Campus-based Careers Zones provide easy access to careers support in convenient locations at Byrom Street, Aldham Robarts Library and at IM Marsh, staffed by the Careers Team. Support available includes CV and application form reviews, Careers Adviser appointments, drop-in quick queries, practice interviews and access to careers resources and information. The Zones also host regular employer visits during term time where you can meet and network with employers and discuss job and placement opportunities. For the latest updates and details of locations and opening times, try our Twitter and Facebook pages or call 0151 231 2048/3719.

Case Study Name: Darren Buckley Organisation: Paul Danson Imagineering (Interior design) What does your job involve? After Graduating, I secure a Junior Architectural Technician position at an interior design company in Manchester. The company itself works on restaurants such The Smugglers Cover, The Botanist, The Oust house and a full architectural and interior design of the recently built Club House in Liverpool One. On a day to day basis my role involves producing a range of highly detailed drawing packages for various projects running at the same time, including floor plans, interior elevations and technical details to ensure that all specifications are accurately distributed to all relevant contractors.

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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology

On a day to day basis my role involves producing a range of highly detailed drawing packages for various projects running at the same time, including floor plans, interior elevations and technical details to ensure that all specifications are accurately distributed to all relevant contractors. I liaise with contractors, suppliers and clients regarding any design changes whilst working at a professional manner to ensure all the points discussed by the client are met. I measure how much material are required on site such as timber, floor finishes and ceiling finishes. I also take part in site meetings and site surveys to collect information such as dimensions and listed building conditions, as well as site meetings during construction stages. After 10 months, I have now progressed to a more senior role leading my own projects. What did the application process involve and how did you prepare for each stage? After graduating I had interviews for four different companies and the one at Paul Danson was less formal and I enjoyed it a lot more. The interview focussed on getting to know me as a person and I ensured I had a structured portfolio which had a major part in showing what I can do for the company. Before my interview, I ensured that I had researched the company to see what projects they have worked on, what style of restaurants they produce and this showed that I was interested in working for them. I also ensured that I knew everything about the work that I was presenting to them so that I could demonstrate I knew how my design skills and abilities. What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?  Ensure that you have a CV which is specifically aimed towards Architectural Technology, highlighting the skills and personality traits which can benefit the company. Feel confident during the interviews and ensure you are aware of all the building regulations as this is a topic some companies will question you about.  Produce a high quality portfolio with A2 or A1 drawings demonstrating your ability using AutoCAD/ Revit/ Sketching/ Photoshop to show your level of technical drawing through concept designing to technical detailing, utilising the layers and Line weights tools to ensure the drawings are to a professional standard.  Researching the company before an interview develops an interest in the work they do and helps you to ask questions.  Set up a LinkedIn account as soon as you start the course. LinkedIn is a great website to establish a professional profile to highlight skills and also search for jobs. I get contacted regularly by recruitment specialists viewing my profile. What do you believe helped you secure this position at Paul Danson? Due to having a big interest in Architecture from a young age, my portfolio clearly demonstrated by motivation and drive to become an architectural technician, through college courses, an apprenticeship and two university courses. I completed a HND in Building Surveying before my BSc Architectural Technology and this gave me a greater range of skills in relation to building surveying and carrying out surveys on site. This was something which my employer though t would be a great asset to the company. Lastly, the amount of detail which I put into my final year project clearly demonstrated my ability and competency in working with AutoCAD and my knowledge of how a building is constructed.

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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology

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