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The Young Architects Forum (YAF), a program of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the College of Fellows (COF), is organized to address issues of particular importance to recently licensed architects.

FAQ: What is a young architect and what is an emerging professional? Young architects are architects licensed up to ten years of initial licensure, and the name does not have any relationship to age. Emerging professionals are professionals who have completed their academic studies up to the point of licensure or up to 10 years after completion of their academic studies. Although young architects are now defined as distinct from emerging professionals, many components refer to these groups similarly. For example, a local YAF group may include emerging professionals and a local Emerging Professionals Committee may include young architects.

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Although I have the right to work and all the qualifications, I found that it was difficult to find a job

  • 1.  Although I have the right to work and all the qualifications, I found that it was difficult to find a job

    Posted 07-03-2017 05:54 PM
    Hi,

    I came here to the US to get a Ph.D. in architecture five years ago. I finished my degree. While I am conducting my Ph.D., I complete two missions first getting LEED AP credential and get architect license in Illinois state. It was a huge amount of work within limited time. Also, a Lot of documentation as I am foreign educated and experienced architect. I have an 11 years experience in residential, institutional, and healthcare in the middle east. In all my experience I worked on large scale projects. 

    Although I have the right to work and all the qualifications, I am so disappointed because I found that it was difficult to find a job. I think it may because I am over qualified? Or I have a non-US experience? Or if I moved to New York or Los Angeles I will find better opportunities. 

    could you help me to know what I need to work on to enhance my opportunity to get a job?

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    Maged Zagow
    AIA, Ph.D., NCARB, LEED AP
    Chicago, Illinois
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  • 2.  RE: Although I have the right to work and all the qualifications, I found that it was difficult to find a job

    Posted 07-05-2017 09:43 AM
    Are you active on LinkedIn, with lots of connections? You should post this there. You might also try https://www.bespokecareers.com/us/. I've also forwarded your email to a friend of mine in Chicago to see if he had any advice. Best of luck. I'm sure it will work out, esp. since you've reached out on this forum.

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    S. Kramer
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  • 3.  RE: Although I have the right to work and all the qualifications, I found that it was difficult to find a job

    Posted 07-06-2017 05:39 PM
    This is my thought without all the details. Although you may have lots of experience on specific project types in other parts of the world the experience (which is ultimately what most firms are concerned with) may not translate into the type of pay or position you are applying for. For instance just because someone has 10 years of experience working on schools in Virginia doesn't mean that an employer in California would pay you for the 10 years of experience. We actually had a few people who came to the US with schooling and experience but they had to work their way up. I'm not recommending you undervalue yourself but one option would be to negotiate a deal where you start at a lower salary than what you would expect with a review at 3-6 month for a bump to what you would really like once you show your skill/experience. I actually did this for my first job out of college. The important thing at this point is to get some "local" experience. Best of luck on the search!

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    Stephanie Hunter AIA
    Project Architect
    AP Architects
    Bakersfield CA
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