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All we want are those glasses.
In today’s business world, we must label ourselves in order to provide an instant summary of our knowledge. This leaves unlicensed architects struggling to find the correct term that gives us clout, but still lets the world know, “No, I cannot legally design anything.” The simple question "What do you do?" can lead to a long if then statement of nonsense that ends in confusion. I finally gave up. As far as I’m concerned, I am an architect. It’s my profession and what I do. I'm not left having to untie my tongue after carefully choosing words to paint the correct picture. If someone is still left curious, I launch a full explanation of the licensure process. But we should be honest with ourselves, we are architects. We just haven’t found the treasure that the NCARB has sent us searching for.
A conversation on the National Associates Committee discussion board generated a dialogue about this fuzzy subject. The question was posed; If the board was to nix the word intern from an unlicensed architect’s description, what should be used in its place?
Is the term 'Intern' relevant anymore? Read here.
Overall, commenters agreed that the preface intern was antiquated and provided a negative connotation to the individual touting the title, Intern Architect. To add insult to injury, a few U.S. states forbid the use of architect in anyone’s title that isn’t board licensed. Those kids can’t even slap the world intern in front of architect and call it a day. One point of view also stated that his networking outside the industry was affected by the dated term. It simply gave off an inexperienced vibe. But cheer up, we’ll get there.
So, what is the means to the end? Are we designers, architects in training, intern architects, project architects, technician I, technician II, unlicensed architects, architectural understudies… Until NCARB stamps our foreheads with our own personalized filing number, we are not legally architects. So is it black and white? Or is the rainbow of terms an okay fit? Honestly, we should just kick it old school… Architectural Apprentice.
We want to hear your thoughts.
Brinker International and AIA Dallas Associates Present: Prof. Thaddeus ARE Structures Seminar. The lecture will be held at Brinker International March 18-20, 2011. Register online at www.aiadallas.org. 
