Comments on: ‘Lost generation’ of architects still here

By: Gene Beley

Gene Beley — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:38:59 +0000

I can remember, when I was a public relations major at San Jose State in 1963, and protested to the Dean about having to do a free internship when I was a married student.
Dean Dwight Bentel’s reply was “Why do you think you should be paid to get an education?” or something close to that. I worked for the San Jose Chamber of Commerce under the late Sal Milan, one of the great old time Barnum & Bailey type promoters, who then hired me for the rest of the summer at the Santa Clara County Fair. He was a tough task master but it was a valuable experience. I got college credit for the Chamber work and got paid for the County Fair. The education was much better than anything learned in the classroom and was a good reference when I graduated. So in all due respects to Michelle Collins’ comment that it takes away your integrity, I disagree. Today I think anyway you can get a foot in the door to prove yourself in any field leads to the opportunity to show them your value. If the company then does not wish to pay you, it at least provides a platform to solicit jobs elsewhere and probably command a higher salary.

By: Michelle Collins

Michelle Collins — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 03:22:31 +0000

The young man interviewed in this article should be ashamed of himself. Working for free hurts everyone – not just yourself. Why would you cheapen your value to zero? It hurts the profession, especially those that do not having the luxury of being supported by their parents. If architecture is ever going to become an equitable profession, we all must have some integrity.

By: Martha Perez

Martha Perez — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:39:27 +0000

What are our business incubators actually breeding? Is it hope? Is it resignation? Is it real? Most of all, does it lead to some sort of action? I agree with others, that action trumps all else, including hope. The youth, and all workers, after being heard, no longer want to hear, or feel good. They want, and are waiting, for something to happen (and soon). However, many are also choosing to take action, into their own hands, and recreate their own destinies. We don’t hear enough from that side of the penny. At some point, enduring change, becomes senseless. Creating change, therefore, replaces it.