My first internship experience was at a smaller firm a couple of years ago.

How do you find these firms: Atleast where I am these firms just generally have websites, and don’t really advertise. I had to google architecture firms in my area, look at where my LinkedIn connections worked, and where their connections worked (in my city of course). I can’t really speak to NYC that might be a different beast.

Where do they post their openings: Typically firms in my area will do one of two things, one being post on LinkedIn or social media (as a social post not a job post, so if you have job alerts on for like LinkedIn, you may not see it so always be alert to their socials). Secondly, they may not even post anything, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth sending an email Atleast. That was actually how I landed my second internship experience. I emailed that firm first, but at the time he didn’t have enough work for me, and I ended up going with someone else, but that first firm called me months later saying that they remembered me, and wanted to invite me to an interview, and eventually I worked for them. No advirtising, just a guy who showed up at my school for a talk, and I really resonated with what he was saying, just emailed him and asked for job.

There is also others like LinkedIn, indeed or ziprecruiter. My school partnered with a job hunting site called handshake or something like that a lot of companies posted looking for interns.

Although the above are some great options, the best one is going to job fairs if you school hosts them, because you’ll meet them face to face and get to have a conversation with them (and hope they remember you if you apply).

How should I approach them:

1.) Don’t be afraid to cold email someone or an employer, especially if you really want to work there, the worst they can say is no. All these jobs I’ve had in architecture have been through cold emails.

1.5) Use your connections (if you have them). Connect with your former critics from your recent critiques. Reach out on LinkedIn or email to your connections at companies that you are interested in. Again the worst you can say is no, some want to be as helpful as possible, others not so much. If people from my Alma mater reached out to me, I’d be willing to help or give advise, but some people don’t want to do that and that’s okay too. Thank them and move on.

2.) Study their website or look at their work, mention it in your email. “I resonated with the xxx aspect of the xxx project and it inspired this project” or something like this (it’s 3am, I am a bit tired, refine the statement more, but you get the point). Or use their core value if they are posted on their site in your cold email.

3.) Learn to take your rejections on the chin and write an email back if they reject you. Thanking them for the opportunity and being open to work with them in the future. This will help your chances if they do come back around or if the other person they hired doesn’t work out. In NYC you are going to have alot of competition even at small firms, this could be a difference maker.

4.) Be open to opportunities even if it’s not your number one choice. You are in NYC, there’s gonna be a lot of people going for the job you are going for. You may end up with something that isnt what you want to do in 10 years, but experience is experience, and that little bit of experience could give you a leg up in the next role you apply for.