Career Development

Rensselaer Architecture is committed to helping students prepare for their professional career.

On-Campus Resources

Center for Career and Professional Development

The Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) plays a critical role in supporting Rensselaer Architecture students’ career development. Through one-on-one counseling appointments, students receive personalized assistance covering various career-related topics, including resume and portfolio reviews, interview preparation, internship and job search strategies, and support in registering internships/co-ops. These appointments can be conducted virtually or in-person, and drop-ins are also welcome. Additionally, the CCPD conducts workshops, classroom presentations, and club presentations on career-related topics tailored to the School of Architecture. Regular communications through Handshake highlight professional opportunities aligned with students’ needs. Importantly, these services extend beyond graduation to support alumni with no restrictions on engagement with the CCPD after graduation.

The CCPD facilitates employer engagement for Rensselaer Architecture by coordinating information sessions, site visits to local employers, and an annual career fair specifically for architecture students in the spring semester. These efforts enhance students’ access to employment opportunities and foster connections between students and potential employers, contributing to the school’s accreditation goals. We partner with faculty and in the case of the architecture career fair, directly with the Dean, who is personally involved in the event’s planning and execution. Special considerations are made at the Dean’s request for all architecture students to attend the recruitment events and career fair. This commitment to student career development by the Dean and his staff is rare and enjoyed by no other college at RPI as of 2024.

Annual Career Fair

The Rensselaer School of Architecture Career Fair is an annual all-school event providing students in architecture and allied firms a unique opportunity to network together in support of establishing future career placement opportunities. All firms in attendance will be able to connect with high performing Rensselaer Architecture students seeking short and long-term internship and co-op opportunities during the fall, spring and summer months.

The 2025 career fair will be held on February 27 at EMPAC.

Firms interested in participating in the career fair can register here.

For additional information please contact:

Marcus Carter, Assistant Professor,

Blast Off

A discussion about early-stage career development, this program held once each semester brings together two faculty who talk informally with students about their career paths and educational journeys.

NCARB Licensing Guidance

Led by Associate Professor Lonn Combs, these events held each semester inform students about the licensing requirements and process.

RPI Alumni Career and Professional Development

The Center for Career and Professional Development, in conjunction with the Office of Alumni Relations, is pleased to offer RPI alum an array of services. Everything from assisting you in a job search, assistance with hiring Rensselaer students, or learning about Alumni volunteer opportunities.

RPI CCPD Handshake

Handshake enables employers to connect with Rensselaer students through targeted outreach and digital features like virtual career fairs and events.

RPI Student Life

Preparing Students for Leadership and for Life. Designed to enrich and augment classroom and laboratory studies, the student life experience is a vital part of Rensselaer’s undergraduate and graduate education.