Step by step

Naturally the most straightforward way of becoming an architect is to graduate in architecture. To get a good job with a general contractor, you'd be advised to earn a diploma in the building trade. But what if you're trying to find work with a developer? There are no schools which specialize in this field, so how do you go about getting your foot in the door? "You can't go on a course to learn how to do this job. You can only learn from experience," says Per-Lennart Johansson, head of Skanska Property. "You can never know everything so you must be patient and conscious of the fact that it will take a long time before you reach a high position. You can call yourself an experienced developer after ten years working as one." "We look for new staff either among people who've had some experience in the field or among young university graduates who gain knowledge while working with us," says Miroslaw Szydelski, Investment Director for AIG/Lincoln