Hi everyone; after I lost my work at the end of September I had to go back to Italy for some health problems (and I pay for swiss useless health insurance
Now I'm back to switzerland but I've changed my canton from Zug to Vaud because my Aunt lives here and I can stay at her home for free because rents in Zug are too expensive for an unemployed person without the assistance (worked in CH for only 8 months, no rights).
The main problem I've encountered is how to find a work because using normal jobseeking website I Always be rejected because in 99% of offers is written "ETH or EPFL diploma or equivalent swiss one" and I'm graduated in Italy, at the Polytechnic of Milan with a Bachelor and a Master of architecture (five years) and this, for job seeking agent is not enough O_o
Obviously my title is valid in all EU and Switzerland and I've taken the exam for obtain the licence for signing project in Italy and it's also valid everywhere in Europe; last but not the least I think my university was good as the swiss one (if not better...)
I speak a good Eglish, a good Fench and, obviously, Italian but when I try to look for a work here I Always crash against a rubber-wall
Now I want to try to go directly to architecture firms for asking but I don't know if it's possible here or is only lost time and for me is better to try in other countries, what do you think?
Life in CH is very expensive, especially in this canton where taxes, insurance and other bills are awfully higher than canton Zug and I don't want to lost all my money looking a work that doesen't exist!
Are there some architects that had same problems?
Switzerland has the lowest unemployement rate but for architects I think it's not right
You are in the German speaking part and don't speak German... architects here (at least all the ones I know personally) speak fluent or business German and tell me they have to use it every day as the offices and industry in this part of CH speak pre-dominantly German. If you don't speak German then I imagine you are are at a serious disadvantage.
In that case good luck and just keep trying... persistence will be your greatest asset in a competitive market like architecture where there are not so many jobs!
Because in Italy there is no work, or better, there is work but you have to work for free or for 300 - 500€ for month with almost 50% of taxes when a warehouse worker take 1200€. Italy is completely down for architecture.
My diploma is a master degree and it's completely recognised in all EU and CH.
Thank you; unfortunately it seems they want only people graduated in Switzerland. I don't know why for other works is so simple to find a job and for mine is impossible. A master degree, five years putted in the waste
Main question is, what would you do in my place? Do you know a better place for my situation? I'm 28, worked for some Italian firms, obviously, without any kind of contract amd I have a master degree, the licence to sign and a post graduate short master in entertainment design.
In the last 5 years there have been changes in every industry, when you are working you do not see them. Then you become unemployed, try to find a new job the way you have always found a job. But it's no so easy any more.
Welcome to the new normal, it is not going back to the way thing were. You have to change, need to become a brand, it's not just apply for a job anymore..
Have you tried to get invited to some events, submit a paper to some publications. Been on factory visits where they are producing new materials. Been a speaker at a conferance? Have you got your own website? Swiss like to employ experts, what area are you expert in? What are the new trends in your field?
Sorry to be hard, or you can keep trying the same thing and get the same result.
I'm graduated from 2012; during this 2 years I've changed some workplace in Italy and started to work in Switzerland, in Zug, for a "wealth management" company that not really works clearly and now I'm without work from first of October.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to look for a work in this last two months because I had to stay at home in Italy for some health problems
Actually I've about 2.500chf of savings and a car valued about 5.000chf; I haven't a network here in Lausanne because my aunt doesen't know so much people in architectural world and I've no friend here for start to expand my network; I think that start with a new personal businness sounds like a suicide.
I'm an Architect, graduated in Building architecture, a sort of engineering-oriented kind of architect but in 2013 I had a two months post graduation course in New Entertainment design, course was focused in designing Discos, Bar, Lounge bars, Clubs and restaurants from the concept idea to the mise en place at 360° and I love this subject.
Trends of fields in architecture? Hire Young architects, use them for some months without paying and then fire them for hire new cannon fodder
I'm start to thinking that all I've studied is being like waste paper
Today I thinked about it and, I think is better to try to sell the car, go back in Italy and subscribe to an MBA in building site Progect Managing or, wait the next year and try to subscribe to the university for take an engineering master degree. Fortunately for may graduation class I can obtain it only with another year of study and totally 5 exams in Building engineering.
You can end up over qualified with little or no experience.....I would concentrate on finding a job, maybe think about travelling to somewhere where architects are in demand, Middle East possibly ?
I do sympathise as there are more qualified architects than there are jobs within Europe, it is a sign of the times at the moment, as less funds and less new building happening at the moment.
I am surprised you are thinking about more studies, not sure whether you get funding in Italy for that, as otherwise where is the sense?
Architects are not alone with problems to find work, other people in other fields are also having problems.
Is there any other work you can get to keep you going and at the same time keep an active interest in the architect field?
honestly, I'm working since I was a student in different architect firm (in Italy is normal to work during university) and my portfolio and CV are not so bad (I think).
Before my health trouble I was starting to have some contacts for China and TW but I had to stop all for going back to Italy.
Now, I know that in Asia usually thei like Italian architects and there are a lot of collegues that are satisfied to working there but... Can I take a flight, going there, and look for a work without the risk to finish my days in a chinese or arabian prison?
Go to Brazil young man. Getting started in Architecture is,and has been, difficult worldwide for pretty much ever. Trying to start off in Europe these days is a daunting task. I would give it a go in Brazil where you could pick up the lingo relatively easily. Good luck.
Being an architect myself and having toured a couple of countries in pursuit of employment I would like to offer following thoughts on the subject:
First of all, figure out the best employee labour markets EU- and worldwide. From what I hear at the moment it is Germany, UK (London that is!) in the EU and the US and Australia worldwide, where architects are in demand.
Don't waste your time on further qualifications just now. From what I gather from your situation, it would be beneficial if you would first gain some solid on the job experience.
Finally and most importantly, don't resign! Where ever you decide to go, consider sending out unsolicited application directly to the studios / offices which may interest you - this is a proven route to land a job in our field!
Remember: When one door closes, another door opens!