Benny
How do I look for internships that do not require any experience?
I am a college student earning a Bachelor's degree in architecture. I am going into my junior year this fall, yet I do not have any internship experience. I do not know where to start looking for it, and what to expect. #architect
2 answers
Dr. Kelly Desso
Dr. Kelly’s Answer
You're absolutely right, not all internships are cut from the same cloth. Some demand a hefty amount of fieldwork, while others simply require you to be a junior or senior in a bachelor's degree program. My own bachelor's degree wasn't in architecture or engineering, but I still had to clock in a certain number of internship hours before I could graduate.
Web-based search engines that let you filter by keywords and location can be useful sometimes, but only if employers are using them. I found that the most valuable resources were actually the people who were further along in the program than me. I would ask them about their own internship experiences, and their answers were incredibly insightful. Not only did I learn that these companies were willing to take on students from my university or program, but I also got to hear about their personal experiences. These alumni could tell me whether they'd want to work with the same supervisor again, how they felt they were treated by the employer, what the working hours were like, and whether the work was in line with my interests.
Another great resource you have at your disposal is your instructor. In a four-year degree program, each instructor tends to have their own area of expertise. This can be really helpful for students, as they can guide you on what to look out for and which companies have taken on their past students. If you're open to the idea of unpaid internships, this can broaden your horizons even further.
Fabíola Clayton
Fabíola’s Answer
Despite the fact that there are websites that help you find jobs and internships, the vast majority of job-seekers land a position through networking. Therefore, my advice is that you join as many professional organizations as you can (student memberships are not that pricey) and go to their meetings with your resume and a business card. Get to talk to professionals and after a couple of meetings, hand over you resume and ask for referrals. Even if a person you meet is not hiring, he or she might know someone who could use an intern.
Some organizations are: AIA.org/ NKBA. org/ ASID.org/ nahb.org
Good luck!
Thank you so much!!
Benny