IDP is Immoral

There I said it.  For those who don't know, the Intern Development Program is one of three elements needed to become a licensed architect.  The other two are an accredited degree and completed exams.   Of the three, IDP is the only requirement which I vehemently disagree with.  I hope that if enough people agree with me this requirement can be eventually removed. 

An accredited degree is a requirement no one should disagree with.  After all, we must be sure that all student are learning the correct material and meet a minimum standard.  Hopefully all American architects have a somewhat shared experience in their respective architecture programs.  This gives us all a shared language and ability to communicate with one another.

The ARE, architecture registration exams are likewise an uncontroversial requirement.  All professions require an exam.  Architecture is no different.  Some might say that the exams are too hard based on the historical pass/fail rates (mid 60% on average).  The general idea however is sound.

The Intern Development Program is administered by NCARB with the idea of ensuring that all architects have a verified amount of work experience in a number of different categories.  If completed with near maximum efficiency this program should take about 3 years to complete.  This program is supposed to make sure that all architects have spent at least a year drawing construction documents, two weeks negotiating contracts, etc.  The exact amounts are not important the point is that there are a variety of relatively arbitrary time periods which must be met.  Apparently the reason for this requirement is that our accredited degree is inadequate and we are not ready to work unsupervised without additional "seasoning."

The reason I consider with requirement to be immoral is that it is the one section which the intern does not control.  This requirement is based completely on the whims of the local economy, the ability of the intern to relocate for work, and the quality of the work experience.  Academic progress and the exams are based on the intelligence and fortitude of the inter.  In contrast, if the intern cannot find work, they are SHIT OUT OF LUCK!

Yes, interns can complete small amount of IDP on they own, but the process requires that at some point the intern be employed.  I agree that experience is very valuable in anyone's education and certainly makes for a better architect.  However, the program should be voluntary, an "over and above" not a minimum requirement.  Architectural Record articals such are this: (http://archrecord.construction.com/practice/firmculture/1104practice.asp) Are misleading because what intern in their right mind would go on record saying that the program blows?  

Additionally, Matt Arnold has published an interesting study showing that the average time to complete IDP is now approaching 12 years! (http://www.scribd.com/doc/51132717/Concerning-Licensure) Personally I believe that IDP is created to limit the number of architects and ensure a steady supply of serf labor who will stay at a firm just to complete IDP.  Perhaps there is no diabolical plot but this is certainly the result.
 

Many people complain about the state of the profession nowadays. Personally I believe that the profession will be really screwed in 10 years when all the baby boomer architects retire and there is not enough licensed architects to replace them. 

* I'm assuming that the baby boomer architects are able to retire and the economy will eventually recover.  In any case the baby boomer architects will certainly die at some point.

NCARB IDP Renewal Blues

Ugh,
Just received an email that it was time to renew my IDP.  This means that over the past three years I've not been able to accumulate the required amount of experience needed to satisfy NCARB's requirements and need to pony up another $75.  As it stands I'm about one year (2300 hours) short of completion.  Should be able to knock that out in under a year using the supplementary education that NCARB provides as well as using my LEED AP and BD+C certifications to get a few more hours. 

Since Michigan allows concurrent testing, I'll sign up for my first exam soon.  With any luck I can finish the exams and IDP at about the same time.

From Bauhaus to Our House

I recently finished reading this rather old book of architectural criticism, written by Tom Wolfe in 1981.  Architecture students will find this to be a revelation.  It provides much needed light reading and a new perspective to those students who have been bogged down under the weight of Peter Eisenman and other dense theorists.  The central thesis is that the world of architecture has been overtaken by a small group of elitists who enforce their dogma with religious fervor.  His brilliant one liners and wry wit make what can sometimes seem to be deadly serious business of theory into a game of relationships and one-up-manship.

Of great interest to architecture students will be the treatment of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, aka "Daddy Frank," by the intelligentsia after the arrival of Walter "Silver Prince" Gropius from Europe.  Later Wolfe discusses Robert Venturi and his supposedly radical ideas and how he was able to remain a part of the elite while seemingly attacking their most sacred tenets. 

Wolfe saves particular scorn for Philip Johnson.  Johnson is ubiquitous throughout the text and the history of modernism. Instrumental in bringing and securing position for Gropius in the beginnings of the international style, his long and varied career is an easy target for Wolfe. 

A secondary thesis throughout the book is Wolfe's assertion that the Client became subordinate to the Architect during the modern movement.  He goes into hilarious detail on this subject while also showing how despite the popularity of non-modern architecture by the general public, any architect who advocated a new style, or who did so while not kissing the correct shoes, could achieve commercial success yet critical failure.


Perhaps I have a dirty mind, but I could not help but chuckle to myself every time Wolfe mentions Philip Johnson, a homosexual man, and various sexual phrases such as "taking it like a man." 

My advice to any architecture student is to read this during the summer prior to your final semester. After all, it won't help your academic career to have subversive ideas in your head too early on.  The read is just over 100 pages and fun, so go get it!

Finding an internship in Architecture, not Computer Science

So, How does a newly graduated architect find a job or internship?  The process of finding a job is not easy.  The best course of action is to begin making yourself attractive to employers now, before graduation.  To separate yourself from the crowd of newly minted architects you want people to know you as more than just the fancy resume and portfolio on their desk.

1. Network
You have access to a ton of people at school.  Get to know your professors as well.  They can be the key to your future employment.  Make sure everyone thinks you are competent.  These people will be your professional peers for a long time.  They can be a great help long after graduation.

2.  Volunteer
Another great way to meet design and construction minded professionals.  Habitat for Humanity or design charettes are a great way to met the people you could someday be working for.  You AIAS chapter should be able to help with this.  If the chapter isn't organizing volunteer efforts, this is your chance to really make a name for yourself in the region.

3. Portfolio
Start early, like now, and take advantage of all resources.  Post images, sketches, etc. on linkedin and create your own website to broadcast your work.  There are many options for free web space.  The public nature of this will also provide great motivation.

4.  University Career Center
Yes, they can actually be helpful.  Many alumni prefer to hire from their own alma mater.

5. Headhunters
Avoid them!  Employers pay these people a fee of up to 30% of your salary for their assistance.  That was maybe worthwhile in 2006 when the economy was humming.  Today firms are swimming in resumes and don't want to spend more than they have to.

6. The Search
To weed out the ads for computer architects, look on AIA, archinect, and other architecture web sites. 

7. Interview
Be confident in your abilities!  If you’re unsure of yourself the interviewer will know and will assume that you just your lack of confidence is based on poor performance. 

There you go.  A few tips which I should do a better job of following myself.  Its rough out there so good luck everyone.