Despite the economic uncertainty facing the world right now, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) wants to help all architecture professionals keep their careers going strong. They recently hosted a webinar where they spoke to four panelists who lived and worked through the last Great Recession. Below are the highlights from their advice on how to have career resilience during difficult times.
Utilize Your Network
Staying connected with previous professors, classmates, or co-workers is a great way to find new opportunities. Here are three simple tips for using your network:
- Be upfront when looking for a new job, and give back by helping others in their search once you find a position.
- Reach out to professors, even if you weren’t close. Remember: your school wants you to succeed.
- Reach out to career services, alumni networks, and local AIA chapters to ask for help, request a mentor, or re-engage when you need encouragement.
Get Involved
- Use design competitions and events to supplement your portfolio with new building typologies to broaden your experience.
- Volunteer with AIA, Open Architecture Collaborative, USGBC, Urban Land Institute, and others to extend your network within the profession and to stay engaged if you’re working in a different field.
- Keep pursuing your license to maximize your skills and marketability.*
*Architects Training Institute consistently adds new online continuing education courses starting at $29
Think Outside the Biz
- Expand your search to different sectors, different size firms, and new locations. Or consider architecture-adjacent positions such as real estate or facility management.
- Panelists who accepted positions like these during their job search said they gained useful experience that gave them an advantage in future interviews.
Whether you’re a recent graduate or experienced professional, always remember you have resources and a support system that will help you through economic hardship.