Architecture, Construction & Planning

Architecture + Design Careers: Elevate and Shape the Built World

Ignite your vision at Illinois Tech, leveraging our Mies van der Rohe legacy and Chicago’s architectural prowess.

Impactful Career Paths

  • Architect: Design, manage, and build impactful spaces.
  • Interior Designer: Craft functional and aesthetic interiors.
  • Urban Designer/Planner: Shape vibrant cities and public realms.
  • Landscape Architect: Integrate stunning outdoor environments with structures.
  • Industrial Designer: Develop innovative products and user experiences.
  • Architectural Engineer: Master technical building design and systems.
  • Sustainable Design Specialist: Pioneer eco-conscious and resilient design solutions.
  • Digital Experience Designer: Create intuitive digital interfaces and environments.
  • Lighting Designer: Illuminate architectural spaces and environments.
  • Exhibition Designer: Curate engaging physical and digital spatial experiences.

Essential Skills for Success

Technical Prowess: Master CAD, BIM, 3D modeling, construction documentation, and sustainable design principles.

Transferable Strengths: Hone creative problem-solving, visual communication, collaboration, and project management.

Illinois Tech’s Elevate experiences develop both your technical expertise and creative skills, preparing you for dynamic careers.

Chicago: Your Design Launchpad

  • Industry Hub: Access leading firms like SOM, Studio Gang, and Perkins+Will.
  • Living Laboratory: Immerse yourself in a rich architectural history and ongoing innovation.
  • Cultural Center: Engage with institutions such as the Chicago Architecture Center and the Art Institute of Chicago.
  • Sustainability Leader: Contribute to pioneering green building initiatives and urban development.

Take Action: Launch Your Career

Connect with Career Services for essential resources:

  • Develop Your Portfolio: Showcase your best work effectively.
  • Craft Winning Documents: Utilize expertly designed resume and cover letter templates.
  • Master Interviews: Prepare thoroughly for career-defining conversations.
  • Explore Opportunities: Leverage comprehensive career exploration tools.
  • Gain Mentorship: Connect with successful alumni in the field.

Schedule an appointment with a career advisor today to personalize your architecture or design career plan and chart your path to success.

This field is ideal for students from Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering and the College of Architecture, but we welcome all majors to explore these exciting opportunities.

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Career Resources

Scarlet C-Suite Program

Scarlet C-Suite Program

The Scarlet C-Suite Program is a comprehensive program offered by Career Services. The purpose of the program is to elevate …

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Labor Market InsightsIn partnership withLightcast logo

Find a career that aligns with your career interests, see current salary projects, and identify skills you need to apply for that next job or internship.

There are two ways to use this tool below:

  1. By Keyword: Search for the name of the occupation you’re interested in.
  2. By Industry: Not sure what job you’d like? Search by desired industry and see available occupations.

First, choose an industry of interest, then filter for occupation. (If you'd like to see data for a specific location only, filter by state.)

Type in a keyword to select a relevant occupation. (If you'd like to see data for a specific location only, filter by state.)

 Access All Labor Market Insights Here

Illinois Tech Features Over 100 Professional Student Organizations

  Benefits of Joining

* Professional development and continuing education
* Conferences and networking events
* Design competitions and awards programs
* Certification preparation and support
* Career resources and job boards
* Mentorship opportunities
* Industry publications and research access

Union Board

American Institute of Architecture Students

HawkHouse

Prism

SEDS (Students for the Exploration and Development of Space)

Undergraduate Research Journal

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Featured Classes

Introduction To The Profession (ITP)

Introduction to the Profession (ITP) is a course that every Illinois Tech student takes during their first semester. Each academic…

Inter-Professional Projects Program (IPRO)

Interprofessional Projects (IPROs) at Illinois Tech provide real-world project experience for students. All undergraduate students must complete two IPRO courses,…
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Undergraduate Career Outcomes

Career Outcomes

Illinois Tech graduates are in high demand. See what our graduates are doing within six months of graduation

Career Services tracks career outcomes on an annual basis through a survey known as First Destination. This data refers to the post-graduation status of students within six months of graduation and provides a snapshot view of the success undergraduates obtain.

For the 2023 class, surveys were collected from 94% of graduates.

Graduates of Illinois Tech pursue a wide variety of industries and positions in leading companies and organizations, and Career Services strongly believes that engaging in internships, research, study abroad, and student organizations are practices that lead to post-graduation success. For additional information or questions, please get in touch with Illinois Tech Career Services at careerservices@iit.edu and review our collection and reporting methodology.

  • First Destination
  • Top Employers
  • Starting Salary
  • Employment Locations
  • Top Universities
  • Degree Types
  • Fields of Study

First Destination

The vast majority of our graduates obtained full-time employment or decided to continue their education through graduate studies.

Learn more about the percentages of our graduates employed full-time, part-time, in graduate school, serving in the military, or pursuing volunteer opportunities.