Over the course of your degree you develop a good mix of subject-specific and technical skills as well as transferable core skills. In the modern world of work, employers have clear requirements in terms of the types of skills they are looking for from graduates and it is important when applying for jobs to be able to show evidence of skills that are relevant to the role and to the employer's business. Degree courses in architecture provide you with a range of career-related skills such as: - numeracy, design and drawing;
- IT skills, e.g. computer-aided design;
- project management skills;
- the ability to solve problems in an analytical, logical way;
- teamworking skills;
- written and oral communication in various settings;
- research skills;
- decision-making ability;
- adaptability and flexibility for dealing with unexpected situations where necessary;
- the ability to reflect on, and improve, your own professional performance.
Employers also value work experience and extracurricular activities, through which the competencies mentioned can also be gained. Having some work experience, particularly in an architect’s practice, or a voluntary, summer or industrial placement is a good way to demonstrate that you have initiative and can apply the skills learned on your course to the work place. It will also help to show that you are motivated, hard working and reliable. When applying for jobs it is important to ensure that you can present these qualities in a positive manner. Consider the skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile. Take a look at applications, CVs and interviews for some useful tips.
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