Hear it from an Architect: Preparing for a Career Fair

Career Fair season is quickly approaching. Whether architecture students are seeking internships, full-time positions, or simply to make connections, these events can be an intimidating experience to navigate.

We've gathered insights from several of our architects and professionals, including recent graduates and those actively involved in hiring, to provide the most valuable advice on what firms are looking for and how students can best prepare.

Portfolios

Architecture is a visual discipline. This means that when it comes to portfolios, the content is not the only important factor. A portfolio exhibiting strong visual composition not only conveys a command of general design principles but also demonstrates the eye and mind of a designer. If your expertise spans multiple disciplines, embrace the opportunity to showcase them. Whether it's photography, graphic design, or other creative pursuits, such versatility can be advantageous to firms, highlighting your commitment to creativity and design.

A portfolio should demonstrate the breadth of your skills. Rather than only showing the results of projects, elucidate the design process. Share preliminary drawings and delve into the thought process that ultimately led to the final product.

Resumes

Before printing or sending out your resume, edit it, and edit it again. Your resume is a company’s first impression of you—eliminating any spelling or grammatical issues demonstrates that you are thorough and detail-oriented.

For architecture students, a resume and portfolio should always go hand in hand. This can be ensured by incorporating a portfolio link into your resume or having a small visual of your work to leave behind.

It never does any harm to have printed materials. Being prepared with hard copies of your resume and portfolio shows recruiters that you are prepared. Recruiters are often wading through a sea of candidates; it is always helpful for them to have something tangible to reference.

Interviewing

A good way to be prepared for interviews is to do some research beforehand. Keep in mind that this process is a mutual evaluation-- you are interviewing companies just as much as they are interviewing you. No two firms are alike in company culture, policies, and practice. It is helpful to have some prior knowledge of companies that you are interested in and would be a good fit for.

Come prepared with an elevator pitch and a set of thoughtful questions. It can feel strange to talk about yourself, but it’s important to have confidence in the skills that you are bringing to the table. Dressing professionally, having well-prepared resume materials, and asking genuine questions will demonstrate your interest in a company and the positions they are offering.

Following Up

It’s always wise to leave with the company representatives’ business cards. Following up with a thoughtful email expressing your appreciation for the meeting is an effective way to continue expressing your interest. Given the substantial number of students firms engage with at career fairs, maintaining the conversation by articulating your interest, sharing digital copies of resumes and portfolios, and referencing specific points from your interaction with a company representative is a valuable strategy to stand out and stay connected.

It’s important to be aware of the method a company uses for internship or full-time position applications. Application processes such as email submissions, online applications, or third-party systems will vary from firm to firm.

In cases where a company of interest does not initiate an interview, be sure to follow up. Express your ongoing interest and inquire about the next steps in the application process. Proactively seeking clarification demonstrates your commitment and eagerness to move forward. If you do not hear back from a firm, don’t be discouraged! Multiple factors qualify someone as a good fit for a company. You may not align with one firm, but you are likely an excellent fit for several others!

It can be intimidating to meet new people and make connections, especially if you’re looking for your first internship. Just know that the firms you are meeting truly look forward to getting to know the next generation of designers. Come prepared but come as you are. We are excited to meet you!

KSQ Design’s Tulsa studio will be attending several upcoming career fairs this year. We hope you will stop by and see us!

February 12-13, 2024 - Oklahoma State University Architecture Career Fair

Networking Night, February 12, 6:30 pm, ARCHITECTURE GALLERY

Career Fair, February 13 from 9:30 am-12:30 pm, WES WATKINS INTERNATIONAL EXHIBIT HALL

Interviews, February 13 from 1:30 pm-5:00 pm, WES WATKINS INTERNATIONAL EXHIBIT HALL

February 22, 2024 – University of Oklahoma Spring 2024 Gibbs College of Architecture Career and Internship Fair

Career Fair: 3:00 pm- 6:00 pm, CHRISTOPHER C. GIBBS COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE