Just a few thoughts from my perspective and years of implementing professional development programs - grads coming out of the schools have many resources to use to "study," for the A.R.E. exam but they should also be informed about the NCARB A.R.E requirements and especially the requirement of a "Supervisor," relationship.
Whether or not the firm, big or a proprietorship, has the time to provide a "Supervisor" for an AXP'er focused on "experience," can be a challenge for a firm. It is not prudent to compromise the experience and training necessary regarding grads learning the fundamental aspects of HWS in our profession prior to testing for licensure.
An idea - NCARB might consider exploring and modifying the requirements of a "Supervisor." In circumstances where the proprietor or a firm with a small staff do not have time or resources to provide a NCARB "Supervisor." In some firms it is getting more challenging to set aside the time to train as we all get deeper in the professions virtual technology and instant information exchange.
Maybe NCARB could consider developing another path for a grad on the path to licensure to allow a licensed architect outside the office of employment to be the Supervisor.
From NCARB website - To be an AXP Portfolio supervisor, you must be one of the following:
- Current architect supervisor. You have been licensed to practice architecture in the United States for at least six months, have known the candidate for at least six months, and the candidate currently works under you.
- Architect mentor. You have been licensed to practice architecture in the United States for at least one year and have known the candidate for at least one year. This is only an option if the candidate does not currently work for an architect.
Schools and Colleges of Architecture should, if they do not already, address the licensure paths and NCARB's Supervisor and Mentor approaches in in the 3rd year and emphasize it further in 4th and/or 5th year before graduating and prior to prep for career fairs so candidates can ask questions about a firm's A.R.E./AXP development and training and Professional Development programs.
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Michael Katzin, AIA | NCARB
Michael Katzin Project Services, LLC
Johns Creek, GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-24-2021 11:22 AM
From: Mark Baum
Subject: Mentorship Challenges
If I understand Scott Knudson correctly, he proposes tying the practical experience requirement to "accredited firms," however, that would create a tremendous hardship on small practices that, due to their small size, provide excellent hands-on training for young architect. Creating formal criteria for the firms that are "accredited" to offer training to architectural graduates would lock out small firms that cannot invest in such efforts from attracting talent.
Bottom line is that the "internship" must be held sacrosanct and the exam must gauge the readiness of graduates to practice in the real world, and it should not be permitted to take the exam until the training period is complete. An alternative path could be considered using the accredited training mentioned.
Mark I. Baum, AIA
Principal
Mark I. Baum Architect LLC
New Orleans, LA
Mark I. Baum, Architect, AIA
Original Message:
Sent: 3/24/2021 10:50:00 AM
From: Scott D. Knudson AIA
Subject: RE: Mentorship Challenges
I think the medical internship (gasp - they still use that word? don't they feel denigrated?) is a better model for us to consider.
Given that
- pre-licensure experience is a fundamental part of one's education as an architect
- some firms hesitate to hire AXPers because they feel they are training staff who will leave them in a heartbeat
- the quality of educational experience is wildly variable
- there are compensation irregularities
I suggest that only experience at accredited firms (call them teaching practices or whatever) counts towards licensure. Those accredited firms must have a formal program and truly invest in their candidates.
The controversial BIG change I would consider is ... omit the exam requirement for candidates who successfully chart a slightly-longer (maybe 4 year) path through these teaching studios.
To compensate the firms for that higher level of effort, maybe the firms are tied to universities and somehow can be compensated beyond a modest salary, or the candidates would earn less but can still draw on financial aid/scholarships; need more thought on that part...
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Scott Knudson AIA
Principal
Knu Design, LLC
Boyds MD
Original Message:
Sent: 03-24-2021 10:17 AM
From: Nea Poole
Subject: Mentorship Challenges
Drake: You are spot on about the cost of the degree. I remember when one could apprentice to become an architect and I would argue those were some exceptionally strong architects once they were done. What schools teach has so little to do with the actual practice of architecture that it is, in some cases, worse than worthless. I have had interns come in directly out of school who are genuinely SHOCKED by what actually goes on in an architect's office..."what! we don't read poetry about our design aloud all day?!"
In the past 20 years I have had three interns leave the profession in under a year because it was so different than their expectation. But this is not new; at UVA my first class was taught by a "professor" who was 25 years old and had left one of the finest design firms in the world after just two years for life as an academic because the reality of architecture was just not what he was interested in.
However, on a positive note I have had some interns arrive who were thrilled to discover architecture was so much more than school ever indicated. They thrived on learning how buildings went together, what jobsites were like and even were genuinely curious to learn about codes.
My perception from once being in a very large firm that had over 300 employees but about 25 licensed architects is that it use to be that folks got out of school, got comfortable in their job, realized they never wanted to start their own firm and that they would never have to stamp drawings at their large firm so they decided why go through the hassle and expense to get a license. I am not saying I agree with this, just what I observed. I think the number of licensed architects to the number of students graduating was disturbing to NCARB and the AIA so they have rigged the system so that nearly anyone graduating can easily get a license. The fundamentally wrong assumption is that since those graduates were not getting licensed was that they had left the profession because somehow a license was too much of a barrier. Nonsense. I have worked with many, many graduates who even into their 40's and 50's never got licensed and some of them are the finest architects I know. The system seems backwards at this point where experience is not valued or rewarded (with a license) the way simply being in architecture school is now rewarded.
Sadly, I do think it is going to take a series of serious mishaps before those making these changes see the folly of the too easily given professional credentials.
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[ Nea May] [Poole] AIA
[Principal]
[Poole & Poole Architecture, LLC]
[Midlothian, ] [Virginia]
Original Message:
Sent: 03-22-2021 06:21 PM
From: G. Drake Jacobs
Subject: Mentorship Challenges
I have to confirm your observations. For the last 8+ years I've been the in-house trouble shooter / fireman for a 30 person firm. I continually press them to continue their educations, go for their exams, and direct them to useful webinars.
As co-chair of the local Codes Committee I alert the staff to upcoming codes presentations and stress that as licensed architects they are legally responsible for code related issues embodied in their drawings and specifications.
We are blessed with some decent legal seminars, both by local law firms and by insurance company sponsored legal presentations.
I concur that the level of knowledge and experience required for licensure should be increased. Perhaps we should have tiered licenses - Arch In Training levels 1, 2, 3, etc. I am, however, not convinced that the degrees can ever keep up and the cost of those degrees is may not be fully justified.
G. Drake Jacobs, AIA, NCARB
Boston
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G. Drake Jacobs AIA
Group One Partners, Inc.
Boston MA
Original Message:
Sent: 03-19-2021 05:33 PM
From: Mark Baum
Subject: Mentorship Challenges
Nea:
Very well stated. I have a sole practitioner practice but also consult with larger firms and frequently work with and mentor young interns and architects. To a certain extent, I make my living lending my "gray hair" to emerging professionals and established firms with young staff. Honestly, most of us in our early careers did not recognize what we didn't know but as we gain experience we learn to understand what we don't know. In speaking with my contemporaries, many young architects simply do not yet know what they do not know and that will get them into trouble.
The practice of architecture has become increasingly complex over my career and, regrettably, far more litigious. A project that once required 50 sheets of drawings, not requires 200 sheets and the numbers of materials, products and systems involved has increased several fold. Contractors are far more sophisticated and are quick to file claims. If anything, the level of experience required to be licensed needs to be increased, not decreased.
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Mark I. Baum, AIA
New Orleans LA
Original Message:
Sent: 03-18-2021 11:01 AM
From: Nea Poole
Subject: Mentorship Challenges
Scott:
I was going to post this as a separate thread but I will post as an answer to your first question:"Does it seem like it is getting harder to enter and advance in the profession of architecture?".
Absolutely and shockingly not, in fact I would strongly argue that currently the criteria for getting licensed is so low that a license is nearly meaningless. I knew NCARB has been changing the rules for years, seemingly making the recording process more Byzantine yet the actual exam easier but I had no idea that universities can now teach to pass the exam and students graduate with a license. GRADUATE WITH A LICENSE!! I understand that they intern along the way but it can by no means be the same level of experience one gets from full time employment in a functioning office. NCARB is allowing folks to sit for the licensing exam so quickly that a few years back I had an intern, who had started the whole exam process in college and had just passed the ARE, come into my office and cry because he felt he had nowhere near the knowledge required to be an "Architect", to lead a project, to be solo on one. Which, of course, he did not. I was as comforting as helpful as I could be but all I could think was why is NCARB allowing someone this fresh (two years) out of school to sit for the exam?
Someone a day out of school has been led to believe that they are as qualified as any other licensed architect and I guess legally they are. They can stamp a high rise as readily as I can.
I will put aside the dis-service that this does to them and ask when hiring, how does one handle this? Someone is applying for a job directly out of school but I am sure has looked up salary levels for licensed architects.
I am certain there will be folks responding to this singing the praises of IPAL and similar programs but I cannot believe rushing to give someone a license that they are not prepared for is in their best interest.
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[ Nea May] [Poole] AIA
[Principal]
[Poole & Poole Architecture, LLC]
[Midlothian, ] [Virginia]
Original Message:
Sent: 02-23-2021 12:12 PM
From: Scott Knudson
Subject: Mentorship Challenges
Does it seem like it is getting harder to enter and advance in the profession of architecture? Given the work-at-home situation, students and recent graduates have more limited opportunities to collaborate and work alongside architects - and only the very best mentors are bridging that gap for them. Are there any specific steps you have taken - from either side of the equation - to help that situation?
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Scott Knudson AIA
Principal
Knu Design, LLC
Boyds MD
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