I need a tip related to internship or job

[Anonymous]

I am apologizing for writing at this forum, maybe this is not the right place. If it isn`t please move it to the right one.

About a month ago i got a degree at the University of Architecture and Civil Engineering in Serbia. While studing, i adored the norwegian group Snohetta architecture, they were my exemplar of modern architecture.
Some year ago there was a lecture at my university regarding some Norwegian architecture, and all back then to present days i am just amazed with the architecture of your country. Such a freedom in shapes and moves. Some pilot building made by a norwagein in Dubai, (white curved lines on the desert sand) also amazed me. Therefor i was, and still am determined to check some of that northern architectural move, that is to work in it.

Well, after all this fairy tale words, here is what i have wanted to ask you: Last week a firm from Oslo sended me a request for an internship (3 to 6 months). At the end they told me that this internship will not going to be paid. Is this a common thing about internships in Norway? I have expected at least some minimum wage, enough for food and a rented room. I don`t know what to do now.

If you have any tip for me please, send it. Btw i have sended over 60 requests for internship or job. to some Oslo arhitectural firms i have found on the net, and at least 30 of them sended me a negative reply. This all looks like a nightmare, if you can give me any kind of help, please do.

If you have spare time, check some projects of mine:
http://www.filefront.com/15564335/projects.rar/

They are not something special, i have still a long way of learning.


Thanks a lot for the all the help and advices.

[Dwight]

Yes.
The 'gift' of the missing paycheck.


Once I asked my Mother about 'Architecture'.

She said:

"'Architecture' is a dirty, nasty messy business,
save it for the woman you marry."

[Anonymous]

I should refer everyone to the article "Can Intern Architects Work for Free to Get IDP Experience?":
http://info.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek09/0710/0710p_unpaidinternarchitects.cfm

Some firms may be wondering if they can “do good” by giving intern architects work experience in unpaid positions. Generally speaking, federal employment law dictates that the answer is “no."

[Anonymous]

Obviously the biggest problem is that Architects have been unsuccessful so far at establishing and getting paid for the value of their work. The reasons for this are complex and due at least as much to the valuation our culture places on quantity over quality as to Architects failure to sell and manage successfully.

Add to this the fact that there is always more to do designing a building than there are time and resources available and the result is that Architects are always trying to do more than is possible with less than is reasonable. I have also known plenty of principle architects who are overworked and underpaid (compared to other professions). And then there are the old jokes...

"How do you make a small fortune in Architecture?"

"Start with a large one."

If I understand correctly the tradition of unpaid internships goes back to the days when the landed gentry needed suitable employment for the second and third sons (and so on). Having an income from the family estate allowed them to work for little or nothing and the unpaid nature of the positions assured that there would be no lower class rabble degrading the nobility of the professions. Not really the best model for the 21st century.

[Anonymous]

Matthew wrote:
"How do you make a small fortune in Architecture?"

"Start with a large one."

Back in the day, I was part of a large firm and after being promoted to design director, I received a letter of congratulations from the president of a large construction company. I was flattered, but mystified as it read "Congratulations on your accomplishment in the field of chemistry".

Jack had a great sense of humor, so I called him to ask what he really meant by "the field of chemistry". He said "Don't you know? Architects take a clients good money and turn it into s_ _ t!"