Emerging Professionals Firm Tour

Have you ever been to an architecture firm? When I decided to become an architect, I had met exactly 2 architects and only visited one of their firms. Call it love at first sight. Call it a leap of faith. I was 14 and knew I wanted to be an architect. Over the next 8 years, I didn’t meet another architect until graduate school.

A career path into architecture does not require this blind leap of faith. This year, the AIA Emerging Professional’s Committee (EPC) is coordinating Firm Tours at 6 different architecture firms in the Twin Cities. These firms open their doors for students and early career professionals to experience their work space and unique culture. You get a guided tour of the office, hear about projects, and ask questions about daily tasks and challenges.

The 2018 Firm Tours are a revamp of the EPC’s Draughting Club. At Draughting Club, emerging professionals and students in the Twin Cities could meet, enjoy a local brewery or distillery, and chat about challenges we face in our early architectural career. The new Firm Tours still foster a relaxed atmosphere for networking but with several upgrades:

  • Meeting experienced professionals from the host firm
  • Seeing architecturally designed offices
  • Tours guided by firm leadership
  • Free food!

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In April, Kodet Architectural Group is hosting the EPC Firm Tour in collaboration with the AIA Architecture in Schools Committee. We invite emerging professionals of all ages (high schoolers, undergraduates, graduate students, and early professionals) to see our office by the Walker Art Center. It’s a free tour with snacks and beverages but space is limited. Register today at this link 

We work in a remodeled mansion complete with fireplaces, beautiful woodwork, and “bridge” addition off the back. It’s a fun place to see, but the character of our office comes as much from people who work here. Kodet employees, from the principals to the part-time students, can be described in two words:

  • Volunteers
  • Leaders

Everyone at Kodet finds a way to contribute to our office and community. Each person is encouraged to develop their strengths and apply them through personal initiative, commitment, and compassion. These characteristics make our mission of education, mentorship, diversity and sustainability possible. We care about our clients and the impact our projects have on their communities.

I hope you will take this opportunity to see the workings of our architecture firm. If you are a seasoned architect, share this opportunity with an emerging professional or student you know. We can all improve our own professional practice by seeing how another office operates. For students this is a chance to imagine where you could be applying for internships.

See the full list of Emerging Professional events and opportunities in 2018 at the AIA Emerging Professionals Website 

See updates to the Firm Tours on the AIA MN Emerging Professionals Committee Facebook Page. Check out photos from the tours on Instagram and Twitter with #AIAMNEPC.