Entering the Workforce

Congratulations! You made it. All of your hard work and studying have paid off. Now, it’s time to begin the next chapter of life and enter the workforce. Feeling anxious and confused about beginning this new chapter is perfectly natural, but here are a few tips that may help.

Build an exceptional resume and portfolio. No experience that you have accrued through the years is a bad experience. However, it is essential to emphasize the opportunities pertinent to the field you would like to enter. Previous competencies in the built environment will always give you a competitive edge in seeking career opportunities. Often, a resume or portfolio may be the first impression on a hiring manager. Show them where you’ve been and what you want to do; you’ve worked hard on your accomplishments, so be proud of them. Ensure that these documents are well-rounded and thought out to ensure you are communicating your experiences effectively. The process of developing your documents will be excellent for reflection on the knowledge you’ve accumulated. While these documents are essential, a resume or portfolio will not guarantee you a job offer. These items exist to get you the meeting. Having clarity and understanding of what you’ve accomplished will be tremendously helpful before the interview. 

Identify clear goals for yourself. It’s important to have a plan. Hiring a new member of a team is an employer’s way of investing in their future. This feeling should be mutual. Ensure that where you are headed aligns with your career goals. Self-assess what is important to you in your career. Identifying these traits before beginning interviews will help you generate questions that will help you evaluate your options. It may be helpful to develop a mission statement for yourself. Think about what motivates you and what your main objectives are. Then, ask yourself, as you pursue opportunities, if your mission statement aligns with the organization’s values. Often, a mismatch in alignment with these goals doesn’t lead to long-term satiation within the organization. Be deliberate and thoughtful with the firms that you target during your search. A helpful exercise in identifying these is what DesignForce calls the Values List. This exercise will allow you to critically analyze what is valuable to you in your career.

Network, network, and… network. Social media can be a powerful tool in connecting yourself to like-minded career professionals. Elevate your presence and let people around you know how you are progressing, being sure to highlight your professional accomplishments. When it comes to social media – it’s okay to brag. Those who you connect with are connected with you because they have an interest in you. 

Identify someone in your network who may be a helpful mentor. Believe it or not, you’re not the first one to begin their journey into the workforce. Finding someone who can guide you through this transition will be highly beneficial. Naturally, as you progress, you will face challenges. Having a fellow professional with more experience than yourself will help navigate the unknown.

The great news is that networking events are back! Become a member of associations like the AIA or ASHRAE and take note of some of their events. This is an excellent opportunity to meet professionals in the field who can provide unique insights to the community you are about to join. Become involved and understand how the landscape of the AEC industry is changing.

Never stop learning. As much as you may not want to hear it, your days in the classroom are far from over. Additional training on industry tools and professional development will always be helpful to you. Volunteering for other departments and HR training is a great indication of employee drive and willingness to learn. Maintain a sense of curiosity in everything that you do. If someone offers an opportunity to you to assist: welcome it! Try, and maybe you’ll fail, but you have walked away from the experience, having learned something new. Make the time to do some research. Find the trends in your industry. Having a clear understanding of what’s happening outside of your office will show that you have industry awareness.

Research and jump at the opportunity to learn software that is being actively utilized in the AEC Industry. Common tools include AUTOCAD, Revit, Rhino, and Sketchup. However, the list of potential software that is being used is vast. Set aside some time to research what the firms you are targeting are using in their office. If you have a career opportunity lined up already, don’t be afraid to ask what they will expect you to use. Taking some time to familiarize yourself with the software prior to your start will put you way ahead. Use online services like Autodesk to obtain technical knowledge. 

Utilize your Career Services. This department of your institution exists to provide you guidance for your future. This encompasses all services from counseling your career to helping you locate actual opportunities in the workforce. Your success can ultimately be a reflection of your university. They share an interest in your future. Often, organizations with alumni connections will reach out to these offices regarding positions and inquire about career-seeking professionals. This can be a great working space to share your resume or portfolio and receive critical feedback. Take this feedback in stride and make adjustments. 

Armed with these building blocks you should be well prepared for the world ahead of you. There are always areas in which we can approve. Circumstances and environments change around us quickly. Ultimately, maintaining a professional image and effective communication sets you up to excel professionally. Identifying career opportunities that make sense, is something that DesignForce is here to assist you with. Our team always encourages you to reach out to our Career Consultants to help maximize your potential for success.