DESIGNMIND: 5 DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROFESSIONAL

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DESIGNMIND 5 DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF
A
PROFESSIONAL
In June, I had the honor of preparing remarks for
the 98th Annual Business Meeting of the National
Council of Architectural Registration Boards
(NCARB). NCARB is responsible for the licensure
of architects and has taken innovative steps to
improve that process with the Integrated Path to
Architecture Licensure. IPAL allows select
institutions, including NewSchool, to offer
accelerated programs so that students can be
prepared to pursue licensure upon
graduation. Here is a condensed version of my
message to NCARB What gives us credibility and
value in the eyes of the public, potential
clients, and those who will live, work, and
worship in buildings and places designed and
realized by architects? Over the course of many
discussions with my very good friend Patrick
Sullivan, former Chair of the Department of
Architecture at California State Polytechnic
University, we determined five distinguishing
characteristics of a professional
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• An Advanced/Recognized Education Experience
• Every individual who chooses to study a
  profession must have the burning desire within
  themselves to pursue an education. The bedrock of
  respect that underlies the profession is
  dependent on a vital culture of exploration and
  design thought within the academy.
• The complexity of our time, the increasing
  complexity of our tools, and the rising
  expectations for professional service demand a
  rich, measured education experience. It is true
  that there are many alternate sources of
  knowledge to inform an individual.
• However, what is necessary is the intensely
  personal experience of an architectural
  education that has itself been rigorously
  assessed by a diverse group of peers from
  education, practice, and the public sector.
• A Proper, Rigorous Internship Experience
• There is much in practice that simply cannot be
  simulated or mimicked in the academy. The
  logistics surrounding a major project are
  staggering when taken out of the context of a
  highly qualified professional team. A rigorous
  learning experience within the structure of an
  office allows for the continuum of academy to
  practice to flourish. IPAL gives greater
  exposure to professional preparation through
  additional coursework that matches in-office
  experience. It stimulates the motivated student
  to complete curricular work and address the
  licensing exam years ahead of the present
  average. Because of the shadowing and internship
  experiences, partnerships between offices and
  schools are increasing, further enhancing the
  desired goal of bringing the academy and practice
  closer along the continuum.
• The Accomplishment of Licensure Along with a
  Responsibility for Continuing Lifelong Learning
• Many years ago, as a recent graduate, I wondered
  about the value of licensure. I was convinced
  that I could operate outside of the system. I
  soon learned that licensure was actually
  liberating. It was a capstone achievement that
  validated my education and it forced me to sum
  up my experience in practice. It became clear to
  me that it defined me and validated me as a
  professional with real responsibilities for the
  health, safety and welfare of people. It became
  my proof of the value of my work to the public.
  Because the process toward licensure is a
  milestone that ultimately validates the education
  and practice of the individual, both the academy
  and the office must take responsibility for
  mentoring and guiding the individual to
  licensure.
• Voluntary Membership in a Professional
  Association Along with the Voluntary Acceptance
  of a Code of Ethics

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Voluntary membership in a professional
association opens opportunities to identify and
interact with like-minded peers. This is a
tradition that extends well into Western history
through a system of guilds and clubs. Knowledge
communities work to advance the body of
information available to the profession through
the sharing experiences, related scholarship and
case studies from practice. As important as
voluntary membership in a professional
association is, it is equally important to
commit to the voluntary acceptance of a related
code of ethics. The ethical conduct of the
profession is dependent on the personal
commitment of every member to a shared system of
beliefs and implies that buildings will have a
powerful consistency focused on human-centered
design. 5. The Commitment to Pro Bono Activity
Even as it May Lead to New Forms of Professional
Activity Truly, one of the most important aspects
of a professional life is the understanding of
the necessity of a commitment to the less
fortunate of our society. As architectural
professionals, we are more than architects. We
are citizen architects and designers. It is
activity that broadens our understanding of the
world while we see to the quality of life, the
public welfare, of even the most underserved
among us. I believe that giving returns ten-fold
to the profession. It increases our value to
society because we have first demonstrated our
value. It moves us to think beyond traditional
roles for our critical and creative abilities.
Our commitment beyond ourselves calls upon our
better nature. The common ingredient among each
of the five marks of a professional is the
unyielding commitment to raising the standards of
the profession. This must be our shared
commitment irrespective of the perspective we
bring to this discussion. It will be foundation
of the respect we have for each other and it will
give us reason to trust each other.