10 ATSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER2011EDUCATIONAccreditation by CIAT. The university offeredlive projects, which are vital for students enteringthe work place. The Phoenix project in thesecond year was a design competition which Iwas awarded first place in the sustainabilitycategory. This was extremely rewarding havingalso recovered from major heart surgery in thesame year. I was fortunate enough to undertake a workplacement for an architectural practice in theUSA following my second year, which I hope willhelp during the forthcoming job search.Unfortunately, moving forward, the job market isextremely difficult and I feel this is an area whereCIAT can assist. As an organisation, I feel CIATcan be the catalyst to changing the industry'sreluctance to take on graduates during thiseconomic downturn. Hopefully in the nearfuture my skills will take me to a graduateposition and I hope to be a CharteredArchitectural Technologist within three years.Nicholas StrongSouthampton SolentUniversityThree years ago at the age of 27 I made thedecision to change my career from investmentbanking to follow Architectural Technology. Thisdecision came about as a result of working manylong hours in a job I did not enjoy. Having neverexperienced any form of construction before Ihad to start at the beginning, the first year ofSouthampton Solent's programme really helpedto give me a basic knowledge of constructionmethods and gave me an appreciation of thetypes of software at our disposal. During the second year of my degree I managedto secure some part time work experience withMorrish Builders who are currently working onthe Duchy of Cornwall site at Poundbury inDorchester. This work experience turned into afull time job offer which I took up in June of thisyear. Without the passion and support of mytutors I can honestly say I would not be enjoyingthe success at academic and professional level Iam currently enjoying. Over the course of thenext five years I hope to develop my knowledgeof building technology as well as develop myselffrom a professional point of view.Emma WalshawSheffield Hallam UniversityI had always been interested in architecture sowhen I discovered the Architectural Technologyprogramme I knew it would be well suited to mebecause of its more technical side. I chose thecourse at Sheffield Hallam because it had a goodreputation for getting students ready for theworkplace, which for me was very important. The course has a strong environmental focuswhich is very relevant at this time but also asubject I have become passionate about. Aparticular benefit was the year out placement,where I felt I had the chance to put into practicethe grounding knowledge I had built up over thefirst two years. I really enjoyed every aspect ofthe programme, particularly Design Studio andbeing able to apply learning from the technicalmodules into my designs.I took out my membership with CIAT in my firstyear as a student and have found that you areconstantly kept up to date with what ishappening within the field, and also feel you havethe support of a professional body behind you.I was thrilled to receive the Sheffield HallamUniversity Highest Graduating Student inArchitectural Technology Award which has givenme more enthusiasm to get out into practiceagain, work hard and push forward. I am keen tocomplete my POP Record to become aChartered Architectural Technologist.Mark WrightUniversity of BoltonUp to the age of 23 I was a professional footballplayer but following an injury I was forced toretire. I had always been fascinated witharchitecture, buildings and general design andhad carried out two renovation projects and myown selfbuild whilst still a footballer. Followingmy retirement from sport, I enrolled on the BScAT course at the University of Bolton as I knewarchitecture was the career I wanted. As I have ayoung family, the part time course really appealedto me as it allowed me to study whilst being infull time employment. I thoroughly enjoyed the programme andparticularly enjoyed the fact that some of mylectures were shared with other builtenvironment students, both part and full time. Ifeel that this allowed me to learn from the otherstudents' experiences, especially those who haddifferent roles in the construction industry.Nearly all the lecturers had worked in theindustry before coming into teaching and Ifound this hugely beneficial. CIAT President Elect Colin Orr was my courseleader at Bolton and he, along with NooshinAkrami, encouraged my creative and design flairbut importantly made me understand that nomatter what the design, issues such asbuildability, costings and construction detailingare just as important. I feel that the AT degree has allowed me toimprove my design skills but also has ensuredthat whatever I design can be built in the 'realworld'. I received a first class honours degree,graduating top of my year and received theCIOB and CIAT excellence awards, along with aGovernors' Prize from the University.I am currently looking for employment with acompany where I can grow and flourish andbecome an asset.'CIAT keep youconstantly up to date'

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