Who We Are
The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is an independent, nonprofit, student-run organization dedicated to advancing leadership, design, and service among architecture students. Here at the UT Austin chapter of the AIAS, we focus on creating opportunities for students to familiarize themselves with the professional world through firm tours, unleash their creative side through competitions and art auctions, and get to know other student architecture fanatics. What We Do "A Day in my Internship" You will not hear from so many experienced UTSOA students, those who share their first hand experiences working in architecture firms, anywhere else! We invite students from across grade levels to tell it all: From how they heard about the internship, to what they did to prepare for/ ace the interview, to the surprises they encountered in the positions themselves. Academic and Professional Portfolios Hear from guest speakers who just went through the portfolio review process: a procedure that occurs after your 3rd-year, determining your eligibility to move on to your final two years (B.Arch. Program). Our guests have successfully completed this process and will show you examples of what to do to excel. Career Fair and Interviews Get answers to important questions regarding the one event of the year that employers from all over the country come to our school to hire YOU! What is career fair, and who should go? How do you approach an employer's table, and what is the first thing you should say? How should I follow up with those I speak with? Tutorial and Informational Sessions Learn the essential commands and features of the various types of software used in architecture school. Discover shortcuts and hacks from older students and learn how to work smarter. Firm Tours Throughout the year we work to organize Firm Tours to firms in the Austin area. This gives students the chance to learn about and meet some of the best architects in the area. In the past we have gone to firms such as: Lake Flato, Matt Fajkus Architects, Mark Odom Studio, Michael Hsu. Let us know what firms you would like to visit this year and for the first time in a virtual format! Forum Every year AIAS National organizes a convention for all the AIAS chapters across the country. This year’s FORUM will be in Chicago, Illinois (participation this year will be conducted virtually). Attendees can go to panels, attend talks by prominent architects, and meet other architecture students from around the country. AIA Austin We suggest joining AIA committees to get more involved with Austin architecture community. This is a great way to meet architects! AIA Austin Committee Signup Postponed Events: Art Auction In the spring semester we work with AIA to organize a silent auction of student work. This event is in conjunction with the AIA’s Design Awards Panel, and is an excellent opportunity to network with the most prominent architects in Austin. Please continue donating your work and/or attending this great event! TxA Design Expo Every year, the Texas Society of Architects puts on their Design Expo. This is one of the largest architecture conventions in the country, and it is free for students! Book Sale In the fall we collect old architecture books from the library, professors, and firms around town. We then discount and sell these books to students Books range in price from 50 cents to $15, and some are even signed by professors like Larry Speck! Membership Benefits Competitions and Scholarships We do the searching for you and share architecture competitions you can participate in and scholarships that you can apply for at every meeting (a paid membership required to participate). Learn from your Community Meet with architects and professionals to learn more about the field we are heading towards Networking, Networking, Networking You might meet a company that could be interested in hiring you! School Support System Meet with upperclassmen to receive SOA tips, attend workshops about their experiences, and learn valuable career building tips. Note This year, due to COVID-19 (2020 - 2021), the $52 paid membership will not be required to participate in AIAS activities within the UT Austin chapter, as our content will be available in a virtual format which anyone can see. Join our email list to become a standard, non-registered member and join in on any of our meetings and workshops. The paid, registered membership is required if you wish to apply for scholarships and join competitions, recommended of course, as these occur outside of our bounds. Becoming an official registered member within the AIAS National Organization permits participation in all AIAS events outside of UTSOA. Information to become a paid member is located on the Membership tab. |