The School of Architecture provides extensive resources to assist individuals in managing their career beginning in the first semester of study and continuing as an alumnus/a of the School. Workshops and individual advising sessions address topics such as:
- resumes and professional communication
- portfolio and sample page review
- internship and job search strategies
- networking and LinkedIn best practices
- interviewing techniques
- job offer evaluation and salary negotiation
- CPT and OPT process and guidelines
- path to licensure: NCARB and AXP assistance
- graduate school applications and personal statements
Career Resources
Advising Appointments: Career advising meetings are available during both day and evening times for students and alumni. Students may schedule a career advising appointment directly through Handshake. Alumni who do not have Handshake access can email archcar@syr.edu to request an appointment. Career advising meetings may be conducted in-person, Zoom or by phone.
Career Services Express/Office Hours: We offer regular Career Services Express sessions (drop-in sessions) which are promoted via Handshake.
Career Tools: Curated resources are available on both our virtual School of Architecture Career Services platform and on Handshake. Handshake users can access resources to guide them through every step of the job/internship search process under the Career Center tab on their Handshake homepage. Career Center > Resources > type in keyword: Architecture.
Resume & Cover Letter Reviews: Students and alumni who would like a review of their resume or cover letter can make a career advising appointment or email their documents to archcar@syr.edu. We will do our best to respond back within 24 business hours.
Portfolio Reviews: We collaborate with alumni and employers to offer portfolio reviews both in-person and virtually. These 30-minute sessions offer students a a great opportunity to gain technical feedback on their portfolio from industry professionals. Portfolio reviews can be requested via SUARCHConnect on Firsthand.
Big Interview: Big Interview is a tool available to all Syracuse University students interested in practicing their interview skills. Videotape your responses and receive immediate feedback. Utilize a pre-made industry specific interview or create one of your own using Big Interview. Completed interviews can be shared to archcar@syr.edu for additional feedback from the Architecture Career Services team.
SoA Career Services Video Channel: We archive recordings of previous workshops and events on our Kaltura Channel. Students with an SU NetID can subscribe here.
Alumni/Employer Mentoring Program: SUARCHConnect on Firsthand. Alumni/employer volunteers are available for career conversations and portfolio reviews with students via Firsthand. Please email archcar@syr.edu with any questions.
LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn offers a variety of webinars and training videos on an array of topics such as building your personal brand, networking, virtual interviewing, and technical skills like Revit and AutoCAD. LinkedIn Learning is a free resource to students. Log-in at LinkedIn Learning.
GoinGlobal Country Career Guides: Are you looking for industry information outside of the US? Searching for a position in your home country? Country specific search tips are available through GoinGlobal.
Connie Caldwell Summer Internship Award: Created in partnership with the deGraffenried Foundation, this fund is awarded to one full-time student at the School each summer to assist with expenses associated with an internship including (but not limited to) living expenses, housing, food and utilities. Applications open in February 2025.
Quick Questions: Students and alumni can always email us with quick questions at archcar@syr.edu. We do our best to provide a response within 24 - 48 business hours.
Career Events & programs
Career Workshops: We host career workshops in-person and in a virtual format utilizing ZOOM. All workshops will be listed and promoted through the Events tab on Handshake. Keyword: ARCH.
Syracuse University Career & Internship Fair (IN PERSON): Tuesday, September 24, 2024 from 3:00 – 7:00 pm (ET) in the JMA Wireless Dome. The School of Architecture, with our peers across campus, will co-host a career fair where current students can connect with alumni and recruiters for brief introductions and networking opportunities. This is an interactive event to promote introductions and brief conversations. It is not designed for interviewing/in-depth portfolio reviews. Student registration will open in late August via Handshake.
Architecture & Design Networking Day (VIRTUAL): Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (ET). Hosted on Handshake. The School of Architecture will host a Virtual Networking Day where current students can connect with alumni and recruiters through (10-minute) 1:1 conversations and/or (30-minute) group sessions. This is an interactive event to promote introductions and brief conversations. It is not designed for interviewing/in-depth portfolio reviews. Student registration will open in late August via Handshake.
Architecture Interview Blitz Days: Our signature in-person recruiting event held in late February / early March brings over 50 companies and current students together for job and internship interviews. More information will be available in December.
Industry Insights & Career Conversations: Our featured employer and alumni guests share their insight and expertise regarding the field of architecture, industry trends and career paths. Events will be promoted on Handshake.
Candidate Interviews (in-person and virtual): These interviews connect firms with pre-selected candidates for full time and internship positions and are managed through the Handshake platform.
Note to Alumni: Handshake is the career services platform utilized by Syracuse University. Alumni are provided continuous access to Handshake and are encouraged to use Handshake post-graduation.
Please read below for Handshake access information for alumni.
Note: Syracuse University has implemented a new policy effective May 2024 that removes access to university email accounts for alumni, 12 months after last term of attendance. This is retroactive and therefore any alumni who graduated May 2023 or later will lose access to their SU email account in May 2024.
For users with an existing Handshake account that still have access to their SUmail: you MUST follow this quick process to add a personal email address in Handshake and make it your primary email. Failure to add a personal email and make it your primary will result in loss of access to your Handshake account.
For users with an existing Handshake account that no longer have access to their SUmail: email Handshake@syr.edu for assistance.
For alumni with no existing Handshake account (prior to 2018): you may request an account using your personal email by following the instructions here: Alumni Handshake Account Requests
Note: Please do not create a new Handshake account if you have an existing account. Email Handshake@syr.edufor assistance.
