Chicago Architecture Today

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In conjunction with the Midwest Creative Architecture Competition, Chicago Architecture Today LLC has instituted a Spring/Summer internship program available to all contest participants. Although internships are typically conducted by and awarded to graduate students or undergraduate students, we believe that this type of work opportunity can also be a valuable educational experience for secondary students as well.

An internship offers you the chance to learn by doing in a setting where you are supervised by a work-place professional, and have the opportunity to achieve your own learning goals, without the responsibilities of being a permanent employee.

Advantages of an Internship

To the student

enables you to learn and decide about a vocation via firsthand experience
provides an opportunity to acquire new skills and vocational knowledge
establishes an environment where you can be mentored by a career professional
lets you apply some of the principles and ideas learned in class
can reveal your vocational strengths and weaknesses in a chosen field
allows you to meet and network with people in your career field of interest
shows that you have initiative, reliable and a sense of responsibility
makes a valuable addition to a college application and/or resume'
opens a door to a job offer or a recommendation for other job openings
can also be a fun way to extend your educational experience into the work world

To the supervisor (employer)

enables you to gain visibility and recognition with the extended community from the intern i.e. teachers, parents, etc.
allows you to positively impact the educational preparation of the future workforce coming into the marketplace
gives you an opportunity to contribute to your community
provides an enthusiastic ambitious worker who is eager to not only learn from your experience but contribute to your business as well
provides the labor and skill to perform needed profession-related tasks
opens an opportunity for you or your staff to gain supervisory experience

Intern Program Guidelines

Candidates for internships must complete and submit an application, resume' and interview to be considered for a position.
Internships will be served at a local architect's office and/or Chicago Architecture Today.
Secondary student internships are awarded out of the MCAC. You do not have to be a competition finalist for eligibility. Collegiate internships are independant of any contests.
The number of internships available to awarded will be in direct correlation to the number of architects, firms and media needs of the sponsoring company participating.
Eligible grade levels include juniors and seniors with deference being given to graduating seniors.
Internships are assumed to be unpaid unless so stipulated by the supervising company.
The term of an internship is for a 10-week period beginning March 8 and ending May 3, 2008 or set during the summer months. This program duration can be extended on agreement by intern and supervisor.
Availability and scheduling for work will be determined from the collaboration between the intern and the supervising employer with an implied deference made to the intern's academic, athletic schedules and other established responsibilities.
Interns have the right to recuse themselves from any work-related assignment on grounds of safety, conscience or confidence in successfully performing that task.
Discuss any problems with your work supervisor and, if necessary, with the Chicago Architecture Today LLC, and your classroom instructor.
In the event of irreconcilable differences between the intern and the supervising entity, either party has the right to terminate the internship agreement.
At the conclusion of the internship, the intern will receive a certificate with a rating of either Superior, Excellent, Good or Fair.

As a pre-requisite for consideration of any candidate for internships, a resume’ must be submitted along with the program application. The following list is a guideline for many of the things your prospective employers would like to know. You are free to construct this in a way which best expresses your personality. This entails including whatever additional things you deem helpful in defining your employability which have not been requested.

Suggested Resume’ Inclusions

ü Full name

ü Address

ü Phone and e-mail

ü Objective (a little bit of the what and why as to your desire for this position)

ü Education (classes completed, anticipated date of graduation)

ü Work history

ü Relevant skills

ü Strengths

ü Project experience (design projects, contests, major class assignments)

ü Resources (i.e. camera, laptop, internet access, video equip., etc.)

ü References

You are also welcome to include a cover letter if you need more opportunity to expound on your objective or other areas.

Success Strategies for Interns

Treat your internship as you would treat a job you really want to keep. As an intern, you have the opportunity to get to know the organization and to let the employer get to know you. Here’s how you can make the most of your internship.

During the internship:

Be punctual and professional and work the number of hours agreed to by you and your supervisor
Notify the workplace if you are unable to attend as planned
Show initiative, energy, and commitment
Learn from those who have more experience than you
Participate in team projects
Attend meetings
Respect the confidentiality of the workplace, its clients and its workers
Ask questions
Learn how the company operates
Behave and dress appropriately to the particular workplace

After the internship:

Ask for a letter of recommendation when you leave
Keep in touch with the company
Send a thank you letter on completion of the internship

Supervisor Employer's responsibilities

Interns can perform tasks that are of great value to an organization, but to make sure that this happens, the site has to be prepared to spend time planning and working with the intern to make sure that expectations are shared, and that the intern has the knowledge and skills needed to perform as expected.

In the planning phase, supervisors need to be aware of:

The knowledge and skills the intern brings with him or her
The learning goals of the intern
The feasibility of planned projects (they must be able to be completed within the time frame of the internship)
The intern's need for feedback - recognition of things done well, and assistance in performing better
The intern's need to know who to contact in the organization if there are any questions or problems

During the internship, the site supervisor must:

Make sure the intern is oriented to the organization, and any particular policies and practices (dress code, for example)
Ensure that the intern has meaningful work to do that will help her or him reach the identified learning goals
Oversee the intern's performance
Plan and arrange for regular supervision
Complete the final written evaluation of the intern's performance, and forward it to the sponsoring company who will then forward it to the faculty sponsor

For the internship application, email us at info@chicagoarchitecturetoday.com

Employment Opportunities

Position Descriptions

Webmaster Assistant

Seeking sharp individual to develop, enhance and maintain web pages. No work experience necessary. Can work from home. Personal and academic experience required. Knowledge of Flash, FrontPage, & PHP necessary. Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and some html is a plus. Community service, intern, summer, part-time positions available.

Videographer

Seeking individual who has an interest in architecture, enjoys producing videos, and has skill in using programs such as Final Cut to produce qualitative and diverse short video productions. Positions available interns, summer, part-time.

Minimum age requirement of 18 for all positions.

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