RJ,
Even if I named names for my comment, it would mean nothing to anyone, as I was thinking of many young aspirants who worked for construction companies as a means to get in with an architecture firm later, but never made it. While it does happen - Keith Foster springs to mind - it usually doesn't, and the young man is quickly a middle aged man still working in construction.
As to the words "straight" and "personal relationship" I sense you are going a Micheal Jacksonian direction with your line of thought, and I intended no such thing. It is tough to get hired in the biz. Many of the youngsters I have hired (or even people with mid level experience) have called one week and heard 'no job" and called back to chat a month later and heard "get here as soon as possible,"
My only point is that you wouldn't try for a job at the police department by hanging around with fireman, so there is not a lot of point of hanging with (ie working for) contractors, in hopes of being offered a GCA job. Just approach the policemen, er, golf architects, and avoid the middle man!
Also, there are many types - ie "mindsets" of architecture firms, and I'll bet each tends to hire - no surprise here - people much like themselves. If Brian wants to work for a Tom Doak type of firm, he should find out what that takes. If he want to work for a plans firm, he should call me and find out about what that takes......(yes, drawing ability is required!)
You want to believe that field work is the only way to go. That may be partially tied to your desire to recreateSand Hills in the dirt somewhere, and, unless I miss my guess, a distinct non-ablility to draw! So, you would gravitate to a Tom Doak type firm if you were making a career change.
However, I thought this site had officially adopted the TEPaul "Big Tent" theory of architecture, and that all that mattered was final results.
So, you're not in any Huckabian territory quite yet, but I think you misunderstood my post. Imagine that! An architect speaking in a language no one can understand. I'll bet that's never happened before!