Arrgh... This is another example of 'touchy-feelyism' in our modern world, which drives me nuts.
Here's how it worked in the old days, kids:
You started out as a Draftsperson (uphill in the snow - both ways).
You moved on to being a Job Captain. (Now 'Project Manger', which is fine, I guess).
Sometimes, you'd be declared a 'Designer' (whoa... you're an 'Artiste', now!).
You passed the ARE and became... wait for it... An Architect.
Until you're licensed, you are in no way shape or form an 'Architect'. Period.
You want to be an Architect? Fine... Do what the rest of us did. Slog it out in the profession for the years it takes to finish your apprenticeship (or 'internship'... don't like that term much, either), take the exams, and proudly hang that License Certificate on your wall. Simple. Now you can tell all your nattering relatives, "I did it! I'm an Architect!"
Before I was licensed, I was a Draftsman, then a 'Designer'. During that period, I had ZERO legal responsibilities at any firm I worked at. I was just a cog in the wheel.
I realize everyone is impatient to have some important-sounding appellation, but the fact of the matter is that you are NOT an Architect until you are licensed as such, and there should be no wiggle room in the title.
When the state grants you a license, they are imparting to you an immense responsibility. You won't fully realize it's import until you're wearing it yourself. I used to think that wasn't so, but after experiencing it, I realized it was true. Becoming licensed changed my life... In ways both good and bad. That's how life is.
Just my curmudgeonly two-cents.
Get out there and earn it. You'll feel great once you have. You'll be an Architect soon enough. It took me twenty years (I didn't go to college... Did it by pure apprenticeship), so if you can do it in eight or ten, consider yourself an all-star, and tell your aunt Millie how awesome you are.
Read the practice act for your jurisdiction. Look at what it says. It's no joke. You are the professional equivalent of a Doctor (who may save your life), or an Attorney (who may keep you out of prison). You are legally and morally responsible for safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of the public you serve. You are also subject to considerable penalty for failure in that responsibility. There's a reason that law has draconian penalties for unlicensed individuals using the term Architect. It's a public pronouncement of full competence. I, for one, am tired of seeing the constant push to cheapen it.
Don't get me started on IT people trying to appropriate it.... You think this post was in-your-face? You aint seen nothin' yet.
I'll be constructive, okay? How do the Carpenter's or Mason's Unions divide up the levels? Maybe we should use their scheme. They're probably the closest analogs to our profession.
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David M. Sanders, Architect
Orange County, CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-25-2014 19:00
From: J. Michael Atkinson
Subject: #notanintern
This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Young Architects Forum and National Associates Committee .
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At their 2014 Annual Meeting, the NAC came to a consensus to remove the use of the term "intern" from the profession. In a more inclusive A[we]A what title would you like to see used for Associate AIA members?
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J. Michael Atkinson Assoc. AIA
designer | project manager
aj architects
Charleston SC
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