Expert: John Henry Architect - 3/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am a senior at Texas A&M and I need an internship in order to graduate. I have been searching but there seems to be none available. Do you have any suggestions where I can look.

Thank you for your time.

-Maribee

ANSWER: Unfortunately, not a good time to find any kind of job in this field.
I am not sure why you need an internship to graduate though, unless this is part of your degree plan.
Normally an intern period is required for licensing.
When I graduated from the same school in 76 there was a recession as well.
I stayed for two more years and put a master's degree under my belt.  Are you in ED or the 4 + 2 program?
Even in a recession there are companies that have work.
You may not find opportunities in your home state though.
Larger firms are more amenable to internships than small or intermediate firms so I would first look to the 50+ person offices.
Research states with the lowest unemployment.  The worst hit are Sunbelt firms and California.  Try looking in the north and northwest.
Best way to secure a position is to cold call before sending any resumes.  Ask for the person who is specifically hiring new talent.
If you run into any brick walls on the phone, take your portfolio in hand and actually show up at their office requesting to meet with the person in charge of hiring new staff or personnel.  
Email and paper resumes, in this economic climate, are not your best intros.  If the person is not available at that moment offer to wait, etc.  You have to PUSH a bit and use a little salesmanship.
Worst case scenario is offering to work for no salary.  You might bait the firm with a one week trial period, etc.  Get creative.
Remember this: there may be 8% unemployment at this time.  You CAN get into the 92% that is working by taking forceful steps to secure your future.
Here is a current CNN article on securing internships as a followup:
http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/24/news/economy/internships/index.htm?postversion=2



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My situation is that I need to do a "study away", either an internship or study abroad, but I have a husband and a 7 month old son. I can't just pick up and leave them for 6 months. My advisers have given me the option to find an internship in College Station or in a near by city. (maybe Austin or Houston)

I may have to take your suggestion and work for free for a while. My only concern is that I would be selling my self short of the value of my time and abilities.

I have also thought of continuing here at A&M for the masters program, just as you took advantage the economic times. My only dilemma is that I already have debt for the bachelors degree and I would need to find a large about of scholarships. I do have decent GPA of 3.333 and striving for a 3.5 by graduation.

I appreciate your help,

Maribee

Answer
I would start by calling firms in your area first, then in larger cities: Houston and Dallas.
Your advisers should help with a list of former graduates in offices in Texas and other states to help introduce you.  Your best bet is to contact very large firms doing institutional work: hospitals, public schools, university buildings, specialty, etc.  Avoid residential and multifamily architects as they are the hardest hit at this time.
In your circumstance I would first personally visit any firm in the area to see what is available.
Ask also if you can gain credit working in A/E firms which also have a large workforce and can absorb an intern.
If you can qualify for an additional loan it is a very good idea as you will need a professional degree in architecture to compete effectively in the commercial marketplace.  The B. ED. is not a professional degree but you may be able to find work in related industries.
Best wishes to your future.