Architects whose practices do not pay interns and/or offer unpaid positions should not be eligible to receive design awards or any other professional recognition at any level: national/state/local. For some awards/recognitions the AIA, at the national level, currently has self-declaration forms stating applicants participate in practices where interns receive payment. This should also be required at the state and local component levels. However, is that still enough to ensure firms are following this criteria?
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Jaime E. Sobrino, FAIA, PMP, LEED AP
PMKC Advisory Group Member
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