Any Fellow Architects Out There?

[Big Dazza]

Hey guys as most of you know the construction industry has taken a major hit over the last few years especially in Ireland. Having spent 7 years studying, its been extremely tough trying to find work as an architectural assistant or technician. 

 

I've always wanted to travel to work and I still have options to travel to Hong Kong for work but I'd love to work in San Francisco, New York or London for a few years. My other option at the moment is an extreme career change, after studying for so long the search for a decent job locally in architecture put me off. Most are extremely underpaid, expecting any overtime to be covered without pay and the projects are quite mundane and extremely cost driven.

 

Just wondering how many architects happen to be here if any and would you be looking to take on a hard working architectural assistant?

[opti]

its a tough gig for architects out there at the moment mate, wishing you all the best

an IT man myself

Edited May 26, 2014 by opti

[dusk]

I'm not an architect myself but i work closely with architects on our bigger installation projects and yes, the construction industry is having a tough time over in the mainland uk too. I'm a designer in the steel industry amongst other roles. I agree with you from past experience is that architectural techs work twice as hard for a quarter of the pay. The right position will be out there mate but it's finding it. Can I suggest becoming active on linked in and professional networks?

[Big Dazza]

Thanks mate I'm already on Linkedin just a real pain finding a half decent firm to build up good experience.

[Ezio]

Check In Denmark my good friend who is The same as you never had Any problems finding a job hope it helps

Best regards Simon

[xpletiv]

This has become the situation for many jobs so far. Lots of hours, lower pay, more qualifications and less of them out there.

At least with all the people I have talked to about this feel the same and the types of jobs very alot.

Definitely not a fun time to look for a job.

[If you see Kay]

what areas in the architectural industry are you concentrating in?  If you are wanting to work on the plum projects, the high rises, the major projects, then yeah, you'll be doing the grunt work for the senior architects and partners.

 

If you want to do the smaller projects, the home renovations, the commercial tenant improvements, then yeah, there's lots of that out there. Dealing with the regulations of city halls is big business for these clients.  Some so much that these specialists are turning away work here.

 

Set you sights lower. Forget the glamourous lifestyle of the architect.  You will not ever be a Moshe Safdie, or a Philip Johnson.

[Big Dazza]

I've spent a few years working on educational buildings. Nearly got a job with a firm who specialises in one off housing and have the comfort of being able to pick and choose their clients. Unfortunately I was runner up in that job hunt but a firm like that would be great. 

 

Who says I would never become a great architect. You only go as far as the ceiling you set yourself.

[alt.watch.obsessive]

Hi BD,

"Most are extremely underpaid, expecting any overtime to be covered without pay and the projects are quite mundane and extremely cost driven."

Working in the US may not be for you

In all seriousness, it's tough starting out. Work is pretty much all-consuming no matter what you try to do about it, so I would concentrate more on the quality of the work and what you will learn and less about time and pay starting out. Pay will work itself out. I started in advertising at a major agency and our standard joke was we were getting paid about $5 per hour.

I gather the economy in Ireland is still stalled?

Good luck with the search.

[mellons]

Construction is cyclical and it always looks at its wors jus when upturn is starting

[Big Dazza]

Yea its still awfully slow here in Ireland. I know a girl who managed to get work in a firm in Boston with plenty of perks and I have better experience than her. I suppose the work is there just need to find the right place at the right time. Finding decent work in Ireland so far is like finding a needle in a haystack

[panerai153]

Construction here in the states has been pretty anemic overall, although there are area where it has never slowed down! In residential construction, places that didn't overbuild, hoping that people would buy, have not suffered as much. One problem that I see, interest rates here have been kept artificially low to stimulate the economy, but once they start to go up, construction will probably stall out completely.

Good luck, hope you find something soon.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Mike on a bike]

"One problem that I see, interest rates here have been kept artificially low to stimulate the economy, but once they start to go up, construction will probably stall out completely." agreed but I do not see the Fed taking away the punch bowl anytime soon (if they spike they will suppress), the spice must flow...........

 

PS I see long term dire consequences to this but it is what it is.