Breaking Into Architecture: Kianson Tay (Interview)
Breaking Into Architecture is a short series by Chaim Lieder, a recent job-seeking Bachelor’s graduate based in Melbourne. Chaim launched this initiative to re-frame his own challenges into an opportunity to help others in the same position.
Interview 3: Kianson Tay
Kianson grew up in Malaysia and moved to Melbourne to pursue his Architectural studies and career. Currently an associate at Fender Katsalidis, Kianson has extensive experience in the field, working on iconic projects such as Eastside Gibraltar and Australia 108.
What attracted you to a career in Architecture?
My father is an architect in Malaysia and shared an office with my aunt who is an interior designer, I practically grew up in the built industry environment and that’s all I knew.
I remember as a child, my father would bring me to the houses he’d designed, often during the construction phase, and it was always something I thoroughly enjoyed. I also remember having a liking for Lego, always curious and interested in how things were put together. For me, it was a natural decision to get into Architecture.
What is the most rewarding part of a career in Architecture?
Seeing your building come to life and witnessing it in its built form is by far the most rewarding. Knowing that your buildings will outlive you and, in a way, carry out your legacy is incredibly rewarding, and nobody can take that from you.
How did you land your first job in the Architecture industry?
I started my studies in Malaysia and completed my 3rd year at Melbourne University. At the time, I had no idea who the reputable companies were, so I looked at the sponsors of the AA magazine, as they must be reputable, and I applied to all the companies. Fender Katsalidis looked quite impressive and they asked for an interview.
What advice would you give students & fresh graduates who are struggling to land a job?
Tailor your cover letter:
Architecture companies typically go through 100’s of cover letters and are pressed for time, so having a succinct cover letter spanning 1-2 paragraphs is recommended.
Do your research:
A great way to stand out and demonstrate your commitment to the company as an applicant is by researching the company and quoting something said by a senior staff member in a lecture/article. You can also quote something from their website or mention your favourite project of theirs and why you liked it.
Format your portfolio to demonstrate your unique skillset/experience:
When I landed my first job I had applied with an online portfolio, which was cutting-edge at the time. I had taken a unit on animations at University, so for me, that was the best way for me to present my portfolio.
Demonstrate your design capability throughout your application:
These documents are their first impression of you. Keep it nice, neat and professional and avoid standard fonts and templates. Your sense of design reflects heavily on the documents you are providing.
Any experience is good experience:
Getting your foot into the industry is a much better approach than waiting it out for the perfect offer. If the company you want to work for doesn’t have openings, take the opportunity to gain experience elsewhere and slowly move up towards your desired company.
Don’t get discouraged by rejection:
It is perfectly normal to send 100+ unsuccessful applications. Keep trying and constantly revisit and refine your approach with every application.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your student/young graduate self?
As a young graduate, I always grappled with the idea that I needed to gain more exposure across different companies/regions, and this caused a lot of self-doubts. Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself to have confidence in my own decisions, because every path is different. Everyone will have their opinion on what you should do, but it’s important to be confident in your own decisions as long as it's backed by sufficient experience/research.
For more Job Seeking advice, please check out our free Job Seeker Workbook.