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Drury architecture students Intern in China: The value of experience in getting the job

Drury architecture students Intern in China: The value of experience in getting the job

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While internships can often be difficult to find, apply for, and obtain, two Drury students, Christian Holzer and Hunter Brauer, recently returned from an internship abroad at the China Academy of Arts Design Institute in Hangzhou, China. While there, Holzer and Brauer completed schematic designs for a commercial complex located in Jinhua, China.

“I would say the biggest difference I noticed between working in China and working here in the United States is the process for working as well as the roles of individuals,” said Holzer, senior architect major.

Holzer continued, “At internships in the United States, I have performed a wide variety of tasks through the design process, from massing to construction documents to renderings. In China, I found myself solely working on schematic design as well as basic representation material and diagramming, but not creating rendering and construction documentation. This work was typically outsourced.”

Interning abroad versus interning domestically

Because of modern technology, many businesses are expanding globally. Having an internship in another country could potentially benefit college students. Interning abroad gives students cultural experience as well as other skills such as multilingualism, a skill highly desirable to employers. Students who do end up interning abroad expand their horizons and learn the cultural customs of the country they go to.

“While in China, I think I had one of the biggest culture shocks of my life, aside from Marrakech, Morocco. That being said, I think the biggest take away I got from this experience is being able to appreciate the different culture, customs, and practices of the Chinese people,” said Holzer.

While interning abroad has its own benefits, there is nothing wrong with interning domestically. Gaining experience through an internship, no matter where at, adds to a resume and helps you stand out among other applicants.

That being said, Holzer encourages everyone to go abroad, if given the chance.

“Anytime you have the opportunity to go abroad, I recommend it,” said Holzer. “The experience you gain being submerged in a culture that is completely different from that which you are used to can be extremely valuable to you and to potential employers. That is not to say that you shouldn’t try to intern domestically, but if you are given the unique opportunity to intern abroad and it is possible within your means, I say you should do it.”

Internship Tips

College students seek out internships to gain experience for a potential career path as well as to explore career options. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employees (NACE), 63.1% of college graduate internships lead to job offers versus graduates without an internship who had a 32.2% chance of receiving job offers.

For those looking for an internship, Holzer said, “The best advice I can give to anyone in search of an internship is simply, put yourself out there and know how to present yourself. It’s cliché, if you don’t try to apply then you’ll never get a chance. Make yourself marketable though, know your strengths, your passions, and your goals, then be able to present those in your applications.”

Students looking for an internship or any advice on applying can visit Career Planning and Development in Bay Hall, office 124, or contact them by email at career@drury.edu or by phone at (417) 873-7284.

 

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