course summary
course
requirements
making
the most of the internship
professional protocols
list
of questions
salary
negotiation
letter
of agreement
legal
issues
Your Firm as a Case Study
CAREER:
- What different career options exist in architeture?
- Where is the most demand now?
- What non-architectural experience would be beneficial
to one's career?
- What is most important for recent graduates?
- Where is the profession headed in the next 10 years?
- What are the pros and cons of working in a small versus
large firm?
- What's the best city to practice architecture in?
- At what point should one open one's own firm?
- How much capital does it take?
- Can you care for a family and succeed in architeture
too?
- What do you enjoy most about architecture? Least?
- If you had to do it again, what would you do differently?
- Would you stay in architecture?
- Has the profession held true to what you envisioned
when you were me?
- What important areas of change do you see in architecture?
- Why does your firm take interns?
EDUCATION:
- Is it better to specialize or be a generalist?
- Are off-campus programs (study abroad) really important
experience?
- How valuable are assoicated degrees?
- Construction Management Masters? MBA?
- Will I be paid more with a Master's in Architecture?
- Should we work first between the 5 year degree and
a Masters?
- How well does school prepare you for the profession?
- How do Cal Poly grads rate to others, in your experience?
- What are theirs strengths and weaknesses?
HIRING:
- How do you go about hiring a potential employee?
- What special qualityies do you look for from interns?
- What do you expect from recent graduates with a 5-year
degree?
- What is your advice on getting an interview and interview
strategies?
- What questions do you ask in interviews?
- How important is the first job you take?
- Should you be very selective or take one of the first
offers?
EXAMS:
- What is the best way to prepare for the exams?
- Does your firm pay for the licensing exams and prep
courses?
- Does the type and size of the firm you work in have
an impact on preparing for the architectural exams?
- What size/type do you reccommend?
- What is your opinion about the IDP?
COMPUTERS:
- How is the role of computers changing the practice
of architecture?
- How important are they?
- When do you use "by hand" freehand sketches and drafting
over computer work?
- What do you use computers for?
- What don't you use computers for?
- What programs do you use?
PERSONNEL:
- How many poeple makes an optimal office?
- What percentage are professionals?
- Who in the office must have an architecture degree?
Licensed?
- How is the firm organized?
- What is the firm's typology?
- Have you ever had a major shift in organization or
typology?
- What are the firm's long and short term goals?
- What is a typical overhead; typical employee benefits/vacation?
- Salaries: Entry Level? Associate? PA? Principal?
- How do you motivate your employees to work better
and faster?
- Do people in the firm work much overtime?
- How do employees move up in responibility in the firm?
- How long does it take to attain PA/JC status?
- What does it take to become a principal?
- Do you have specialists to run the business of the
firm?
- How do you determine your fee and billing?
- What is the firm's typical profit?
- How does your firm survive through recessions?
PRACTICE:
- How do you begin when you design?
- How dO you actually learn/develop as a designer?
- How can I become a well respected designer rather than
"average joe?"
- Are most of your projects from long term relationships?
- How do you attain new projects?
- How important is the image of the firm?
- What are yoru favorite type of clients? favorite projects?
- How do you deal with clients you don't like?
- Has your firm ever been sued?
- Is it important to be a member of the AIA?
- Does your firm use any alternate delivery methods?
- What are the benefits of working for a design/build firm?
- What would be good experience for D/B?
- How important is advertising and marketing in running
a successful practice?
- What methods do you use to get a project?
- How much will you spend on getting a job?
- Are competitions worth it?
- How does one become a marketing specialist?
- Does your firm interview its clients?
- Do you research their background and ability to pay?
- Is the fee the only important factor?
- Does an architect have to "sell out" if s/he wants to
survive?
- Does survival get in the way of values taught in school?
- Are those values worth holding?
- How satisfied are architects with their jobs? compensation?
- What path brought you to your present position?
