Architecture students have an opportunity to see what’s happening in “the real world” at Architecture Days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today in the College of Design Atrium.

Eric Beron, president of the ISU chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students, said 32 architecture firms will be present from around the Midwest. He said eight states will be represented from as far away as Texas.

“The goal is to have students interact with professionals and vice versa,” he said.

Beron, senior in architecture, said Architecture Days has grown a lot since it first began three years ago. The first year, 11 firms participated, he said, and 22 films were part of last year’s celebration.

Robert Findlay, professor and interim chairman of architecture, said he has been impressed with the growth of Architecture Days.

“We’ve had wonderful response,” he said. “The jobs are out there, and the fact that they’re coming to us says a lot about our students and the preparedness of our students.”

Beron said firms are usually interested in older students, but first- and second-year students are also encouraged to attend.

“It’s beneficial for freshmen as well because in addition to look for full-time jobs, they’re looking for summer interns,” he said.

Beron said AIAS tries to make sure students are informed about the firms.

“We give them a list of firms who are coming, and they have an opportunity to research these firms and have real conversations,” he said.

Beron said one advantage of Architecture Days is that it allows students to talk with architecture professionals one-on-one.

“This gives them the ability to interact on a more personal level,” he said. “It also gives them an opportunity to see what’s going on in the professional world.”

Findlay said there are some other programs in the Department of Architecture in addition to Architecture Days intended to introduce students to the field.

“We have a program called Lightfoot Scholars that helps second-year students get their foot in the door,” he said.

Beron said some firms conducted interviews Thursday night and also tonight, and some will return to Iowa State in two or three weeks for follow-up interviews.