At Vivid Recruitment, we’re lucky enough to chat with passionate graduates all the time—eager to dive into the industry and start designing the cities, spaces, and communities of tomorrow. But here's the catch: as a specialist recruitment agency, we typically work with professionals who already have a few years of industry experience under their belts.

So what can you do if you’re fresh out of uni and ready to kick off your career?

Good news: there are some amazing graduate programs out there and a host of resources to help you grow your network, gain experience, and land your first role. Below are some of our go-to recommendations for grads in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, and Engineering.

Top Graduate Programs to Explore

These firms are known for their structured graduate programs and commitment to developing early-career talent:

• DKO Architecture – A multidisciplinary design practice with studios across Australia and Asia.
  
• Woods Bagot – A global design studio with a well-established graduate program.
  
• Arup – Global leaders in engineering and design with a dedicated early careers stream.
  
• GHD – Leading consulting and engineering firm with strong graduate intake.
• Gray Puksand – A growing architecture practice with opportunities for grads.
  
• Rothelowman – Offers a structured program for recent architecture graduates to grow their technical and design skills.
  
• Hassell – International design firm known for supporting graduates with mentorship and development opportunities.
  
• Cox Architecture – Frequently recruits graduates and offers early-career roles in major cities.
  
• HDR – A global architecture and engineering firm offering early-career pathways across disciplines.

🕒 Some 2025 graduate intakes may have already closed, but many firms accept expressions of interest year-round. Keep checking their careers pages and follow them on LinkedIn for updates.

Expand Your Network: Join Industry Bodies & Events

If you’re not ready to jump into a full-time role just yet—or you’re still waiting for the right opportunity—invest time in networking and getting involved with professional organisations. These groups are full of people who were once exactly where you are, and they’re fantastic for mentoring, events, CPD opportunities, and job leads.

Australian Institute of Architects (AIA)

• Offers student and graduate memberships
• Access to industry events, awards, and networking
  👉 www.architecture.com.au

Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA)

• For landscape architecture students and grads
• Offers competitions, networking, mentoring, and industry events
  👉 www.aila.org.au

Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)

• Essential for graduates in urban and regional planning
• Provides events, training, and early-career programs
  👉 www.planning.org.au

Engineers Australia

• Ideal for engineers across all disciplines
• Offers graduate memberships, CPD, and mentorship
  👉 www.engineersaustralia.org.au

LinkedIn

• Still one of the best tools to build your personal brand.
• Connect with professionals, share your uni work or personal projects, and start building relationships early.

Pro Tips for Job-Seeking Graduates

• Tailor your portfolio and resume - Avoid one-size-fits-all applications. Focus your content to match the practice’s design language, values, and specialisations.
• Follow up - After an event or application, a thoughtful follow-up email or LinkedIn message can help you stay top of mind.
• Say yes to internships and short-term roles - It’s a great way to get real-world experience and prove your value to a team.
• Keep developing your skills - Use free time to sharpen your software knowledge (Revit, Rhino, Adobe Suite) or enter student competitions to bulk up your folio.

In Summary…

If you're a graduate looking for your first role in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, or Engineering, you might not be quite ready for recruitment agencies like Vivid Recruitment—but you’re definitely not alone, and the industry needs fresh talent like yours.

We recommend:

• Exploring graduate programs at firms like DKO, Rothelowman, Woods Bagot, GHD, HDR and more
• Joining professional bodies like AIA, AILA, PIA, or Engineers Australia
• Using LinkedIn to connect with mentors and professionals
• Attending events, competitions, and industry nights to get your face out there

The beginning of your career is an exciting (and yes, sometimes daunting) time—but it’s also full of possibility. Keep learning, keep showing up, and the right opportunity will come your way.

Best of luck!
  – Team Vivid