The Profession

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The Profession One of the major strengths of the USC School of Architecture is its relationship to the community of practicing architects in southern California. USC founded the first accredited school of architecture in southern California, with 3000 graduates, many of whom have stayed in southern California to practice. The diverse perspective on architecture promulgated by the School's faculty has attracted a broad spectrum of supporters from the building industry and the allied professions. The Architectural Guild, the support group for the School, has nearly 600 members including architects, contractors, and developers. The School enjoys relationships with a range of architectural firms through its highly regarded internship program. A USC degree is a prestigious accomplishment whether it is in architecture, law, medicine, engineering, cinema, education, or public policy. Graduates find themselves among the thousands of other members of the "Trojan Family" who have an allegiance to USC.

The Architectural Guild
Founded in 1958, the Architectural Guild not only functions as a support group of the School of Architecture, it forms a unique link between USC Architecture students and the professional community. Its members come from all aspects of the architecture, design, construction and real estate development industries. Guild student membership provides the opportunity for interaction between students and industry professionals.

While attending, USC students pay only $10 for an annual membership, while regular individual membership is $250. Student members are notified of all events and receive special discounts. All graduating seniors are given a complimentary membership for their first year after graduation, and many continue their membership throughout their careers, finding it an excellent way to stay in touch with the School and interact with the professional community.

The Guild sponsors a number of educational events, scholarships and an annual traveling fellowship, which allows three senior students to study architecture and urbanism in a country of their choice. Guild events throughout the year include an annual dinner honoring a distinguished alumnus from the School, a forum event that address current hot topic issues that affect our city, the Parkinson Spirit of Urbanism Award given to an individual or firm which has significantly transformed and enriched the urban fabric of southern California, and the annual golf tournament, which supports the School's computer-aided design programs.

Additionally, the Guild chooses a few students each year to sit on the board which meets once a month to discuss forthcoming initiatives. The student representatives in the past have organized events designed specifically for students, such as office tours, construction site visits, and career development programs on campus.

All these activities give students the opportunity to enjoy valuable experiences outside the studio, and provide them with an additional insight into the profession to help prepare them for their future.

Alumni
Since the program's first graduating class in 1918, Los Angeles has grown from a small town to a world class city. USC architecture graduates have played an important and fundamental role in this growth process. There are many renowned alumni. Some, like Pritzker Prize winners Frank Gehry and Thom Mayne, have established a world-wide reputation for creative and controversial architectural expression.

Others, like the late landscape architect Emmet Wemple, have made contributions to large civic projects that form the foundation for the public image of Los Angeles. Still others, like Jon Jerde, through his work with the 1984 Olympics, Disneyland Paris and Universal CityWalk have created evocative, whimsical environments.

The list goes on, including the innovative Thom Mayne of Morphosis and the late, civic-minded National AIA Whitney Young Jr. award winner Robert Kennard. Architectural history was made by Pierre Koenig, Raphael Soriano, Carl Maston, Don Hensman, Conrad Buff, and Cal Straub&emdash;all USC graduates. Albert Martin, Bill Blurock, Gin Wong, Bob Langdon, Ernest Wilson, and MacDonald Becket, through large scale projects, have changed the appearance of cities nationally and internationally.

Joining the ranks of USC architecture graduates is a prestigious privilege reserved for the most dedicated, talented and hard-working of today's young people.

Internships
Internship work experiences are an important and integral part of the education of many USC architecture students. Los Angeles is a recognized capital of design and offers numerous practice opportunities.

The School has partnered with many of the best architectural firms in southern California to provide up to 20% of the fourth-year design class with internships. Students are eligible for internships following the completion of the fourth year of design. Selection is based upon application and demonstrated academic achievement.

Talented and hard-working architecture students are assisted both professionally and financially through internships. Student interns are paid an hourly wage and many receive an additional tuition scholarship from the sponsoring firm. Internships provide students the opportunity to examine their interests, use newly acquired skills, and test their stamina under the demands of the work place. Students receive practical experience by working directly with top design professionals on current building projects.

Mentor relationships develop, and often nurture long- term, continued employment following graduation. The School's excellent design tradition, extensive alumni network and connections with the world's leading architectural firms have forged a highly beneficial academic and professional connection between our students and such firms as:

Anshen & Allen, Architects
Thomas Blurock Architects
DMJM
DMJM-Rottet
Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn Architects
Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates
Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, Inc.
Irwin Architectural Group
Richard Koshalek - MOCA Internship
The Jerde Partnership, Inc.
KAA Architects, Inc.
La Cañada Design Group
AC Martin Partners
MCG Architects - Los Angeles
Moule & Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists
John V. Mutlow, FAIA Architects
Rios Associates, Inc.
RTKL
Zimmer-Gunsul-Frasca Partnership

"My education at USC opened my eyes to what design was all about. It excited my imagination and prepared me for the leadership role that I now have in my profession. USC offers a very grounded and well-rounded education that gave me the confidence to succeed."

-Susan O’Connell, (BArch 1984)