NEED ADVICE ON CAREER CHANGE!!!
I am a recent graduate in geology with some engineering background and although i have not gotten my first job yet, i'm looking at switching careers to the design field (architecture, urban design, planning). The thing is that i found a great job opening in an architecture/urban design services firm and they are looking for people thinking of pursuing a future career in the design profession. How do i sell myself to them? They are looking for applicants with good communication, organizational and technical skills, all of which i have but , how do i give myself the cutting edge- being from a different background? It's a really great opportunity and i want my resume/coverletter to make enough impression for them to consider hiring me. Please help!! I might be talking out of the side of mouth and really showing my ignorance of anything scientific, BUT, try something like this: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Dear So and So: I recently read the column about Design and Urban Development in Architectural Design and was quite intrigued.. The article stated that your firm is interested in hiring people who would like to make a career change and are interested in learning the business of Architecture and Urban Design. I have been considering this type of change for some. Coming from a background in Geology, I am familiar with soil, rocks, what ground strength can work best with different amounts of pressure. Also, my engineering background allows me the knowledge of structural density of materials and which type of material will work best in conjunction with another. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Okay, so you don't have to use exactly that, but you get the idea. Find ways in which your background would help you and the firm in producing better designs. I should think that because you do know the ins and outs of the earth, you would be a great candidate for beautifying it.
I think you're going to have a tough time - not impossible, but tough. Do you have any experience you could emphasize - any courses, jobs, etc? You probably need to start assembling those. Start getting involved with urban planning by volunteering with a city, attending city council meetings, etc. Start reading some books so you can speak intelligently about the field. Do some informational interviewing and make sure to ask how to get into the field given your background. Definitely apply for this job (you never know what will happen!), but it sounds like a stretch for you, so don't get discouraged if it doesn't work out! Talk about how interested you are in the field and maybe talk about how you have developed the skills they mention through whatever degree you have. Make sure the cover letter is KILLER - run it by some friends (especially older people who may have more job search experience or hiring experience) and your resume is really tight. Lots of info on those two things on monster, but having a person review it is essential. Another long shot - my frends in these fields have often had to take admin type jobs (office manager, receptionist) to get a foot in the door and work their way up...would you be willing to do that? | |
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