Architecture, Planning and Design Graduates in High Demand

An astonishing 99 percent of 2005-2006 bachelor’s degree recipients from the Kansas State University College of Architecture, Planning and Design were employed in their field of study within months of graduation.

The information was compiled by Career and Employment Services at K-State. That office works to match graduating and current students with suitable employers, as well as to track the success of recent graduates in obtaining career positions.

This placement rate was the highest of any K-State college for 2005-2006 graduates.

“Not only do these statistics prove that our graduates are in high demand, but this fact is reinforced as I travel around the country and visit professional offices,” said Dennis L. Law, FASLA, Dean of the College of Architecture, Planning and Design. “Firms are very excited about hiring our graduates because they possess the work ethic and design skills the firms are seeking,” Law said.

Tom Hollinberger, Assistant Director of Career and Employment Services, works with architecture, planning and design students, faculty, staff and employers. “We are also seeing design firms hiring higher percentages of our younger students as paid interns,” he says. “That’s a great way for students to get their ‘feet in the door’ and for employers to preview eventual full-time hires.”

Architecture, planning and design graduates have an edge in launching their careers, thanks to the strong partnership the college has forged with K-State’s Career and Employment Services.

Resume workshops and critiques, portfolio workshops and intersession classes, mock interviews and DesignExpo are among the highly popular programs offered to architecture, planning and design students. All are aimed specifically to prepare students to present their education, experience, skills, interests and personality in the most effective way to potential employers. The college also has a strong and far-flung network of practicing alumni eager to mentor and hire current students and recent graduates.

The 2005-2006 architecture, planning and design graduates accepted employment in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, as well as outside of the United States. Twenty-five percent of the graduates accepted positions in Kansas.

Starting salaries also continue to increase, evidence of a booming economy with respect to the design professions.

For more information, contact:
Tom Hollinberger, 785.532.6095
Diane Potts, 785.532.1090