How do I get into it?
Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
Job profiles for the roles:
Chartered Architectural Technologist
Prospects
Graduate careers website with a detailed job profile for:
And a sector guide for:
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Advice on finding jobs, networking, preparing applications and maintaining your professional development.
Further information
CIAT is the lead qualifying body for Architectural Technology and represents those practising and studying within the discipline.
Graduate stories
Eline
MSc Project Management for Construction (2015)
BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology (2014)
I enrolled in the trainee programme with Osborne as a Design Manager. I completed a year of training which focused on the role and then started my departmental training where I get to work alongside the other roles in the business such as site management, quantity surveying, health and safety, programming and pre-construction.
The aim of the training programme is to provide graduates with am all round awareness of how the business works and how all the jobs and roles within the business interlink. Being in the trainee programme also gave me the time to adjust from being in a university environment to a workplace environment.
Another great aspect of the trainee programme is that you are not alone. There is a group of trainees consisting of site managers, quantity surveyors and design managers, we regularly meet up for workshops on Osborne sites for tours and team building exercises. The group is also constantly changing; new trainees join the programme as others graduate to move on with their careers.
My degrees have definitely helped me get where I am now, both degrees have merged together nicely where I am now able to use the skills I learned during my design degree with the skill learned in my management degree. There are of course still things that university cannot prepare you for, but these are just the things you will have to learn by doing the job and learning the tricks of the trade. The learning never really stops.
My advice to students preparing to enter the workplace would be to stay calm and do your best. It’s not all about achieving the highest grade, it is also about who you are as a person, what drives you and your willingness to learn and do/be better. Don’t just take a job for the sake of accepting a job and don’t be afraid to come out of your comfort zone if there is something out there you really want.
I was worried about entering the workplace, which is what attracted me to the Osborne trainee programme. Not only has it helped me ease into the workplace environment, I also have the opportunity to experience the other roles in the business.
When it comes to career aspirations for the future, I am not sure; I find it quite difficult to plan for the future simply because it can change so quickly. My short term goals are to complete the training programme and progress in the design management career path. I hope I will continue to work on interesting projects which will only help with that progression. After that I will see where the knowledge and experience I have gained take me.
Janet
Architectural Technology (2016)
Janet is currently employed as a Trainee Site Manager with Osborne.
My careers goals when I started university where first to get a placement that will enable me to gain experience and knowledge that will help me in my final year and also help me choose my career path. To also find a graduate job that would enable me to use the skills I gained at university, gain new skills and learn whilst working. My aspirations changed during my studies. I was learning more about the construction industry (from my placement and lectures) and felt happier and comfortable with that.
During my studies I worked for Tesco during my first and second year, and was a student helper in Watts during my final year. I was also a course rep throughout my course and helped to plan the first end of year ball. I was also involved in my local church – volunteering with young people planning activities. This experience was picked up in my interview – my customer service and organisation skills were a good talking point.
In my second year I produced a CV that I could adapt for roles (I worked on this with staff at the Careers Service) and subsequently used it for my placement and graduate applications.
I got my current job at the Careers Fair. I knew the companies that were attending and knew which ones I really wanted to work for, one being Osbourne.
When it came to starting my role I was terrified – I thought I might hate it or not do very well in applying the skills I had learnt at university. That said I now find that my degree has provided me with the foundation of knowledge and skills that can now be built on with experience in the work place. Right now, my career plan is to continue progressing in my role so that one day I can be in a position where I can train, teach and help a new graduate!
My advice to current students preparing to enter the workplace;
Work hard, your degree grades and how you have applied yourself at university can be really beneficial when looking for a job
Confidence and organisation is key, be confident and organised, know about the companies and what is required of you, be confident in interviews, if your confident they will feel at ease.
Do not worry if you feel like you don’t know enough or have all the right skills, you don’t learn everything at university, university gives you the foundation the skills you learn and develop at are further developed and enhanced.
Find out more about Janet and Eline's employer, Osbourne at or follow them on Twitter .