Tomorrow is the career fair for the college of Architecture and Urban Studies (CAUS). I’ve only ever been to one career fair in my life and I don’t even remember what year of university it was. I feel like it had to have been freshman year because that’s what you were supposed to do to get an internship. However, I don’t think I had decided on my major until after my freshman year, so maybe it was the following?
I’m pretty sure I bought a suit just for it because that’s what you were “meant” to wear. It was the only time I ever wore it. I still had it in my closet when I returned home from Korea and I promptly donated it. I don’t have a suit now, I didn’t exactly need one teaching English abroad, but even if I did, I wouldn’t wear it tomorrow. The dress code is business casual. It’s all architecture firms and architects don’t wear suits, at least that’s what I’m told. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that architects only wear black. I imagine there will be a lot of sport coats and some suits peppered amongst the career fair goers, but I won’t be one of them. I’m going to wear a maroon red turtle neck with a white button down sweater. With only one semester of architectural education, and portfolio less architecturally strong than others, I have to make myself stand out.
I’m excited.
Ideally, I’d like to land a summer job, not just because I need to earn money for my education, but also to get experience in architecture. The last career fair I went to, I didn’t know what I was looking for, or what I wanted to do with my life. Eleven/twelve years have passed since then and I’ve come a long way. I know who I am, what I stand for, and what my passions are. I may not know exactly how I want to use architecture or the type of firm I’d like to work for, and I’m okay with that. For now, I’d like a job with any firm, anywhere. I just want the opportunity to learn and work.
Here you can read about my results of the career fair. I got a job!