Architecture Social

Stephen Drew gives a guest lecture for Coventry University Architecture Society on finding a job in architecture, covering student anxieties, post-Covid realities, job searching, portfolios, applications and practical ways to start a career.

Show Notes

Finding a first job in architecture can feel vague and stressful, especially when university has not prepared students for the practical reality of applications.

Stephen Drew gives a guest lecture for Coventry University Architecture Society on finding a job in architecture, covering student anxieties, post-Covid realities, job searching, portfolios, applications and practical ways to start a career.

The conversation covers:

  • How students can start looking for architecture jobs
  • Why CVs and portfolios need to be clear and targeted
  • How to understand what practices are actually looking for
  • Why follow-up, persistence and preparation matter
  • How early-career candidates can build momentum after university

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▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZYgge9rftw

📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/how-to-find-a-job-in-architecture/

Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/

The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/

Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.

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Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to finding a job in architecture
  • 05:00 Coventry University Architecture Society and the lecture context
  • 10:00 Student anxieties and post-Covid realities
  • 15:00 How to start looking for architecture roles
  • 20:00 Understanding what practices are looking for
  • 25:00 CVs, portfolios and presenting your work
  • 30:00 Applications, follow-up and persistence
  • 35:00 How to stand out without overcomplicating it
  • 40:00 Interviews, confidence and preparation
  • 45:00 Using Architecture Social in the job search
  • 50:00 Salary, location and realistic expectations
  • 55:00 Questions from students
  • 01:00 Building momentum after university
  • 01:05 Common mistakes and how to avoid them
  • 01:10 Practical next steps for job seekers
  • 01:15 Closing thoughts and advice

Creators and Guests

Host
Stephen Drew
Hello! I’m Stephen Drew, Founder of the Architecture Social—an online community and resource hub dedicated to helping professionals in Architecture, Design, Development, and Real Estate advance their careers. I’m here to connect you with insights, tools, and opportunities that lead to meaningful growth, whether you’re just starting out or ready to take that next big step.

What is Architecture Social?

It is hard to get a job in architecture. We exist to help you get there. Hosted by Stephen Drew, Architecture Social is the unfiltered guide to the UK Built Environment. We decode the realities of the industry, provide actionable cheat codes for your career, and bridge the communication gap between the drafting board and the boardroom.

Whether you are a Part I assistant trying to survive your first role, a Part III architect managing complex procurement, or a Practice Director fighting tight margins and adapting to the Building Safety Act, this podcast is your central node of intelligence. We strip away the aesthetic gatekeeping and toxic positivity to talk about the actual mechanics of the business.

Expect honest conversations about salary realities, portfolio strategies, hiring economics, and the true experiences of the people actively shaping the profession.

No fluff, just the reality of practice.