Bachelor of Architecture student work experience during third and fourth professional years

Abstract

A group consisting of current final year architecture students and recently graduated architecture students was surveyed to find out the extent and scope of their Building Industry (BI) related work experience during their 3rd and 4th Professional years, given that there is no mandatory requirement for practical experience in architecture courses in New Zealand. The survey provided information on the amount and type of work students carried out, who they worked for, the range of tasks and services they performed and the benefits they perceived as deriving from the work. Professional and legal aspects of their work were also surveyed. It was found that most students worked in BI related jobs at some time during their 3rd and 4th Pro years, in the majority of cases working for architectural practices. Experience in other areas of the BI was limited. Most students that worked in the BI felt that the work they did formed an important part of their architectural education. They reported improving existing skills in areas such as drawing production and management and design, and they reported gaining new skills mainly in the areas of professionalism and management. The survey indicates that although no self employed students offering architectural services admitted to having legal action taken against them, the tendency to rely on informal agreements with clients regarding conditions of employment and services to be offered could leave many students open to such action if problems eventuated as a result of work badly done or not done at all.