Architecture CAREER INSIGHT
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Career Insight: Architecture
Introduction A career in architecture will enable you to apply your creativity, problem-solving and project management skills to create plans for both new construction projects and redevelopments or refurbishment projects. Architects work closely with other construction professionals, such as quantity surveyors, architectural technologists and engineers. In 2014 the construction industry as a whole generated 103 billion in economic output, 6.5% of the U.K. total. This is primarily due to an upturn in residential building activity, which is the source of approximately one-quarter of the industry's revenue. However, commercial and institutional building activity is expected to remain weak and hamper growth during the year. The Architectural Activities industry in the United Kingdom has a very low concentration of ownership. The industry includes some large-scale multinational players and many small-scale firms operating in narrow markets. The four largest architects' firms contribute less than 5% of industry revenue. Despite this low concentration, many of the leading architectural firms have been consolidating over the past decade. Some have been taken over by leading engineering firms looking to broaden the range of inhouse skills they can offer their clients. Building up a personal network of contacts is important in your industry, so try and do this early on. This has proved to be a success with 30% of LJMU students studying Architecture finding employment using this method. You could make a start by attending relevant events through your free student membership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). 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 site to help you make links with prospective employers and find out more about what opportunities are out there.
Options with your degree Although the vast majority of students will be undertaking this degree with the intention of qualifying as an architect, the skills and knowledge you will develop on your course can also open up a range of other career paths in the construction or creative sectors, including building surveying, urban planning or interior design: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/options_architecture.htm Please note that many of these roles would require additional study, e.g. a RICS-accredited conversion course in Building Surveying, or on-the-job training. Relevant work experience from part-time work or summer placements and pursuing relevant interests would also be beneficial. For those interested in landscape architecture, accredited postgraduate conversion courses are available (check http://www.iwanttobealandscapearchitect.com/ for details).
Entry requirements Gaining relevant experience before getting a graduate job is really important. We recommend trying to secure work experience by contacting relevant employers and recruitment agencies with a strong CV showcasing your skills and attributes. The following skills are important for entry into the profession (from http://www.prospects.ac.uk/architect_entry_requirements.htm):
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good design and drawing skills;
a strong imagination and the ability to think and create in three dimensions;
good analytical skills, accuracy, and attention to detail;
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Career Insight: Architecture
a keen interest in buildings and the built environment;
excellent communication skills, written and oral, with the ability to liaise effectively with a range of other professionals;
good organisational and negotiation skills;
strong team-working and leadership skills;
an understanding about the relationship between people, buildings and the wider environment;
reasonable mathematical skills;
project management skills;
Excellent IT skills, including computer-aided design skills, such as AutoCAD.
To fully qualify as an architect in the UK, you will first need to complete your undergraduate degree in Architecture, known as RIBA part 1, followed by a period of 12 months of practical experience. After an additional two years of postgraduate study, known as RIBA part 2, and at least a further 12 months of practical experience, you can sit the RIBA part 3 examinations in professional practice and management. For further information, visit http://www.architecture.com/EducationAndCareers
Typical salary According to Prospects (http://www.prospects.ac.uk/architect_salary.htm) starting salaries range from £15,000 - £20,000 after part 1 to £26,000 - £35,000 after part 3. The highest reported salaries gained from the graduates of 2013, for each of these stages was £22,000 and £36,000 respectively.
Main employers There are around 30,000 architects in the UK, with most self-employed or working in private practice as partners, associates or salaried architects (data from Prospects). To search the directory of RIBA chartered practices, go to http://www.architecture.com/UseAnArchitect/Directories.aspx Depending on the size of the practice, these might also incorporate services such as planning, urban design, interior and spatial design or project management, so consider this when researching employers for work experience and graduate roles. Popular choices of LJMU graduates have included BDP Architecture, Austin-Smith: Lord, Broadway Malyan and Condy Lofthouse. Other employers include central government and the planning departments of local councils, large construction companies like AECOM (http://www.aecom.com/Careers) and specialist consultancy firms like http://www.mdyson.co.uk/ or www.ramboll.co.uk/careers For further information, visit http://www.prospects.ac.uk/architect_vacancy_sources.htm Using recruitment agencies like http://adremgroup.com/ and http://www.mustardjobs.co.uk/ that specialise in architecture and design vacancies can also be useful in your job search.
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Career Insight: Architecture
Useful links/websites LJMU Vacancy System http://ljmu.prospects.ac.uk/ Prospects – Careers information and graduate jobs – www.prospects.ac.uk TargetJobs - Careers information and graduate jobs – www.targetjobs.co.uk Graduate to Merseyside – (graduate roles in small businesses on Merseyside) http://www.liv.ac.uk/careers/gradvantage/internships.htm RIBA http://www.architecture.com/ RIBA appointments – graduate opportunities http://www.ribaappointments.com/ Careers support and top tips for Architecture students http://www.ribaappointments.com/Career-Support.aspx Architects’ Journal http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/ Building Design magazine – news, comment and opinion http://www.bdonline.co.uk/ Careers in Construction job site http://www.careersinconstruction.com/ Information about careers in construction http://www.citb.co.uk/en-GB/Careers-in-Construction/ Chartered Institute of Building http://www.ciob.org/ Royal Town Planning Institute – information about careers in planning http://www.rtpi.org.uk/education-and-careers/ Association of Building Engineers http://www.abe.org.uk/careers-and-recruitment/ The Landscape Institute http://www.landscapeinstitute.org/ Information about becoming a landscape architect http://www.iwanttobealandscapearchitect.com/
Follow relevant companies/websites through Twitter:
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@LJMUCareers
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Career Insight: Architecture
@RIBAjobs
@CIOBjobs
@RIBA
@ArchiRoom (information on jobs, competitions and news)
Sources of work experience Download our mini-guide on “Making yourself employable whilst at University” from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers/123871.htm for an overview of the different types of work experience available and some general suggestions about finding work experience opportunities. Most work experience in this field is secured through a more creative approach, e.g. using your personal network or contacting relevant companies directly. Consider attending RIBA events in your region to network with professionals and build up a list of contacts you might be able to approach for work experience. If you have undertaken work experience in relevant roles before, always ensure that you keep in touch with staff there as you might want to contact them in the future for further work experience or graduate opportunities and for advice on job-hunting. Organisations you could contact to enquire about work shadowing or work experience include architectural practices (http://www.architecture.com/UseAnArchitect/Directories.aspx), the planning departments of local councils, specialist consultancies or large construction firms. Have you got an interest in a specific area, e.g. urban planning and regeneration, sustainability, school or hospital design? Are there any modules or pieces of coursework you particularly enjoyed? You could use these to “shortlist” relevant organisations you would like to contact about work experience. Make sure you research the company beforehand and find out the best person to get in touch with. It is important that you demonstrate that you are interested in the company and have spent some time finding out 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 any relevant knowledge and skills you gained on your course. If you have completed relevant coursework, this would also be worth mentioning. Look at the skills outlined above and try to outline these in your CV, drawing on examples from your course and other work experience or extra-curricular activities to demonstrate how you developed them. To illustrate your motivation, you could also discuss any relevant interests, e.g. RIBA membership, reading relevant publications, exhibitions you might have attended etc. You might also like to consider gaining some voluntary experience, e.g. with organisations like http://www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/volunteer, or if you have an interest in building conservation, volunteering with the National Trust (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/) or English Heritage (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/get-involved/volunteering/) might give you some valuable experience. For general information about gaining work experience, download our guide to making yourself employable whilst at university from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers/123871.htm
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Career Insight: Architecture
Recruitment schedules Most work in this field will be through small or medium sized enterprises/businesses (SMEs). These types of companies usually will recruit ‘as required’, so you can contact relevant organisations to enquire about work experience or graduate opportunities at any time. Keep an eye on your LJMU inbox as we forward any relevant vacancies employers would like to advertise to Architecture students either directly to you or ask your tutors to promote these. Individual firms 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. In addition to sending in your CV and covering letter, many prospective employers will also ask you to provide some samples of your work. Although you’re not usually required to discuss your portfolio in detail until the interview stage, it is worth giving a prospective employer an initial impression of your work. You could include examples from both academic and practical experience- you might like to select examples that are relevant for the kind of projects your chosen firm typically works on or choose samples that demonstrate your experience in different techniques, e.g. a physical model, a sketch/line drawing, CAD images etc. http://www.pedr.co.uk/Guide/StudentWorking provides some guidance on working in architectural practice and the benefits and drawbacks of working for a small, medium or large practice. You can get advice about the recruitment process by booking a one-to-one appointment with a Careers or Employability Adviser or you can attend workshops at the Careers Zones.
Key events and networking
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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
Manchester Careers Fairs: open to students and graduates from any university; check for details: http://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/events/
Careers and Employability events at LJMU: Keep an eye on our events pages at https://www2.worldofwork.ljmu.ac.uk/events/ for details of upcoming employability workshops, networking sessions and employer talks.
LiverpoolSU Clubs and Societies: http://www.liverpoolsu.com/clubsandsocs
LinkedIn: You could also consider setting up a LinkedIn account (http://www.linkedin.com/) to network online with professionals and organisations in your chosen industry
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Career Insight: Architecture
Types of British Architecture Jobs
Project Architects
Design Architects
Team Leaders
Architectural Technologists
CAD Technicians
CAD Managers
Architectural Draughters
Interior Designers
Space Planners
Landscape Architect
Types of Projects: You can find almost anything to suit your experience!
Residential – from social housing schemes to high-rise apartments and private residential
Commercial – high-rise office blocks to business parks, retail & shopping complexes
Institutional – Hospitals, Schools and Banks
Restaurants & Bars, Leisure and Sports Centres, Hotels etc.
Whilst you can always find fit-out, refurbishment and new-build projects, refurbishments are particularly strong as Britain restores more old buildings and converts industrial to residential. In general, in order to get a position in architecture you will need:
CAD ability in any software package, and have used it in practice
Must have worked in a commercial organisation/ architectural practice for at least a year, in a design or production information capacity.
Must have at least one architecture/interior design or housing qualification
Must have a detailed portfolio of work, showing work in practice and a summary of university project work, as much as possible on CAD
Your CAD skills are an important factor for your job success! It is important to brush up on, or upgrade your CAD skills before you arrive. If design roles are scarce on the ground you might be glad you have the option of some CAD or technician roles in the meantime. Often even a design architect position will require excellent CAD skills.
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Career Insight: Architecture
What should a British architecture CV look like? Include all relevant information but be sure to write in a concise and easy to read manner! The use of bullet points is recommended. Relevant information includes your current and past employers and your position title, but most importantly list your projects. Project information should include your role, duties, type of project, scope and cost of project – include dates wherever possible (often month and year is sufficient).
Should pictures be included in a CV? Consider not including pictures in your CV. That is what your portfolio is for. Your excellent CV will often be sufficient to get you an interview through an agency – your portfolio will be needed at your actual job interview at the firm hiring. Try to send your CV in Word format rather than pdf. Recruitment consultants represent you to their clients and need to adjust your CV to the style expected by their clients.
Portfolio Tips for Architecture Students Your portfolio is a creative expression of you, your skills, your ability to communicate and a general self-promoting tool! It provides a brief snap shot of your talent and gives you the chance to create a great first impression. Therefore, you need to spend the time to get it right! There isn’t really much structure to this post – I’m just going to hit you with the tips! Take from it what you will, make your portfolio work for you and show everyone how good you are.
Format What format will you present your portfolio? If you are applying for a job it might be an idea to create an A4 portfolio booklet that can be emailed or posted that gives a flavour of your full portfolio. A1? Often you have to produce your work at A1 whilst at university, which is all very well but a complete pain hauling an A1 portfolio from interview to interview, especially in the rain! (I’ve been there and its not fun!). So consider an A3 portfolio, it is also much easier to present in an interview. We all drag around the big black portfolios you can buy in art shops or Hobbycraft but will you go for the traditional portfolio style or try to come up with something different (covers and binding options)?
Purpose of your portfolio Are you applying for a job, or get some work experience in the industry. It may be possible that you may wish to gain some advice from industry professionals. Do they need to see your development, or do you just need to wow them with your best stuff? Sometimes a chronological portfolio is really interesting as it demonstrates your growth as a designer, and therefore shows your future potential. However, some employers want to skip to the ‘here and now’ and just see your best stuff first. Think about first impressions!
Interview portfolio ideas There are a few quirky things you can do to leave more of an impression on potential employers. Firstly, should you send out a mini portfolio with your application? Do you give the potential employer access to an online portfolio which you can link to on your CV? Do you create a mini website showing
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Career Insight: Architecture
your work? This could be a difficult decision, so possibly just give them enough to leave them wanting more. Show them a few pieces of your work to impress the recruiter then they may want to meet you in person. At the interview you can consider several options such as leaving a booklet of your work behind so the employer can look over it again and refresh their memory .Perhaps you can leave them with a business card that allows them to view your website or online portfolio? Make sure you know your portfolio as you may be asked to discuss it in the interview. Try to ensure that you can discuss the main aspects of your portfolio as it will demonstrate that you are well organised and passionate about the work that you have created. Go through your portfolio and practice telling someone about your work, pick out some key features that you would want to discuss. Be prepared for questions you that might be asked about your work.
Other information LJMU Enterprise Fellowship Programme – Support for LJMU students and graduates interested in starting up their own business. Further details can be found here: http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/startup/ including eligibility, timescales and training dates.
Careers Zone Our campus-based Careers Zones are based in the reception area of James Parsons Building at Byrom Street, in Aldham Robarts Library and in IM Marsh Library. Call in for help with any careers enquiries, to book an appointment with our advisers, pick up careers guides and resources, meet employers, book a practice interview and much more.
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Career Insight: Architecture
Notes
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Career Insight: Architecture
Notes
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