Getting an architecture job as a student or recent graduate is rarely about one magic CV trick. It is about showing a practice that your design thinking, communication and attitude can transfer into a real team.
In this student podcast episode with Thomas Rowntree, Stephen Drew talks through the practical side of finding work in architecture. The market has changed since 2020, but the core lesson still holds: make it easy for a practice to understand your level, your evidence and why you are worth a conversation.
Watch: Architecture Social video
This Architecture Social video adds useful context before the practical guidance below.
Listen: Thomas Rowntree student podcast episode
This is the full student podcast conversation with Thomas Rowntree, focused on getting an architecture job and making stronger applications.
You can also open the related Architecture Social podcast page.
Start with a clear student application
If you are early in your career, do not try to sound more experienced than you are. A good student application is honest, specific and easy to scan.
- State your level clearly: student, Part I, Part II or graduate.
- Show a small number of strong projects instead of every studio exercise.
- Explain the brief, your role and the design decision behind each project.
- Keep file size sensible so busy people can open the portfolio quickly.
- Tailor the email to the practice instead of using a generic introduction.
Use social media without becoming performative
Social media can help, especially LinkedIn, but it should support your application rather than replace it. The aim is to make your work and thinking visible to the right people.
A simple profile, a few thoughtful posts about your projects and a polite message to someone at a practice can be enough. You do not need to become a full-time content creator to be findable.
What practices look for in students
- A portfolio that explains the idea without a live presentation.
- Evidence that you can learn software and workflows quickly.
- Curiosity about the practice’s work, not just any job.
- Clear communication in email, CV and interview.
- A realistic understanding of salary, location and commute.
Useful links for student job-search
Use the episode alongside these Architecture Social routes so the advice turns into action.
Common mistakes
- Making the portfolio beautiful but unclear.
- Applying to every practice with the same message.
- Hiding the most relevant work too late in the document.
- Forgetting to explain what you personally did on group projects.
- Treating networking as asking strangers for favours.
Architecture Social view
Stephen’s recruiter view is that students do not need to be perfect. They need to be clear. A practice can forgive inexperience more easily than confusion.
Check your application before you send it
Before applying, make sure your CV, portfolio and message all answer the same question: why this practice, why this role and why now?
- Use the resources section to tighten your CV and portfolio.
- Check the jobs board to understand what practices are asking for.
- Join the community if you want a place to keep learning around the search.
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