New season, new job!

Hi Internet!

My university broke up for summer 3 weeks ago, my brother finishes his GCSEs on Monday, and this can only mean that summer has officially arrived! For some people, summer is the opportunity to relax, and for others, it's a time to experience something new - in my case, a new job.

Doing architecture at uni, experience is emphasized greatly. Seeing how the business works and getting to know people is invaluable when finishing a degree. I had never done work experience before, unlike some other people on my course, and was really eager to get some before finishing my degree. In the current 'employment market' there are a lot of jobs out there, but not as many jobs as there are people, and this scared me a lot when putting myself out there in front of companies for possible rejection.

Since I wasn't sure how to go about applying for a job in the field, I'm hoping that by reading my story, it will reassure people who are in the same situation!

Employment background...

My first job was at my local pub almost 4 years ago, where I still do the occasional shift. I wasn't totally immersed in looking for a job at the time, but we drove past, and they had a sign outside, so my parents pushed me to take the opportunity. If I hadn't done that, I don't know how I would've began working. For 2 summers, whilst working at the pub, I also worked at the college I went to, so it was familiar territory. Starting work at 16 gave me the opportunity to build up references on my CV, and also gave me so much confidence!  

How did I go about applying?

I started applying to LOADS of architect firms around my area by emailing a normal CV, and found this wasn't working. I wanted to know why, so whilst loosing hope, I tried the employment and CV help at uni. This is where I found the power of a cover letter and an 'architecture CV'. I also got access to jobs advertised on the uni website, which seemed a lot less daunting than applying to those not advertised and e-mailing them out of the blue. 

The interview...

Bearing in mind I must have sent out my CV to 20 companies, I heard back from 1, with the chance to go to an interview at their office. I rang them straight away to accept this offer, despite having an operation a week earlier where my face was still a bit swollen! 

When I arrived at the interview, there were 6 other people to be interviewed at the same time, 5 of them graduating this summer with their Part 1 from Portsmouth, and one being a 5th year. Being the youngest made it slightly more daunting, but I think it's the confidence, and just being chatty that somehow worked. 

The questions they asked were picked out from my CV, where they picked out things to 'grill' me on, and I also showed them a collection of my work, like a 'mini portfolio' I brought in on an iPad. I made this up of 1st and 2nd year work, the narrative being how my skills have developed and how willing I am to try out new software (the company used Vectorworks, and I'd always worked on Revit). I got the chance to see the 3rd years' portfolios, and it was basically a smaller version of what we hand in at the end of the year, lacking a narrative. Even if nothing came out of the interview though, I got the chance to experience an interview at a firm, and also see portfolios from other students, so I could develop myself.

First day...

They let me know whether I was successful or not the morning after the interview, receiving an email, and then an official letter the day later.

Prior to my first day, I didn't feel like I needed to prepare myself, but just come with a notepad and pen ready to learn! I didn't however receive an email stating a time I had to show up on Monday, so I e-mailed and got a very swift response, showing I was eager to start!

I was introduced to everyone as soon as I arrived on Monday morning, and was sat in the middle of the office, where everyone was really friendly. I had the chance to talk to everyone as well, making it easier to integrate myself into the office, finding out I wasn't the only new one, 2 people having joined in the 2 weeks before me. 

2 weeks in...

I feel like I'm learning so much already. I've got the hang of Vectorworks by using Youtube tutorials and asking people questions in the office, and have worked on two residential projects doing fire strategies, finishes and bathroom tiling layouts. Even though it doesn't sound interesting, if I'm going to learn all of these things, I might as well learn them at the beginning of my career!

I'm working at this firm until the end of summer, getting in a solid 12 weeks of experience whilst getting paid. Though I was in a sea of doubt 6 months ago, waiting and persistence paid off, and finally I'm beginning my career.

If I can find a job a year away from graduating from my Part 1, there really is hope for anyone. Any opportunity that rises is worth something, it may take you half way around the world, or you may meet a person who plays an important part in your life. 

and this is mine!

Thanks for reading :)