DESIGNMIND 5 DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROFESSIONAL

1. DESIGNMIND: 5 DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICSOFA PROFESSIONAL InJune,Ihadthehonorofpreparingremarksforthe98thAnnualBusinessMeetingof the NationalCouncil ofArchitecturalRegistrationBoards(NCARB).NCARBisresponsible for the licensure of architects and has taken innovative steps to improve that process with theIntegrated Pathto ArchitectureLicensure.IPALallowsselectinstitutions, including NewSchool, toofferaccelerated programs so thatstudentscan be prepared to pursuelicensureupon graduation. Hereis a condensedversion of mymessage toNCARB: Whatgives uscredibilityandvalue in theeyesof thepublic,potential clients,andthose who will live,work, andworshipin buildings andplaces designed andrealizedby architects? Over the course of many discussions with my very good friend Patrick Sullivan,formerChair of the DepartmentofArchitecture atCaliforniaState Polytechnic University, we determinedfive distinguishing characteristicsofa professional:

2. AnAdvanced/Recognized Education Experience Every individual who chooses to study a profession must have the burning desire within themselvestopursueaneducation.The bedrock ofrespectthatunderliestheprofession isdependent on avitalcultureofexploration and design thought within the academy. Thecomplexity ofour time,theincreasingcomplexityofour tools,and the rising expectations for professional servicedemanda rich,measurededucation experience.It istruethattherearemanyalternatesources ofknowledgetoinformanindividual. 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 thepublicsector. A Proper, Rigorous InternshipExperience There is much in practice that simply cannot be simulated or mimicked in the academy. Thelogisticssurroundingamajorproject are staggeringwhen takenoutofthecontext 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 givesgreaterexposure toprofessionalpreparationthroughadditionalcourseworkthat matches in-office experience.Itstimulatesthemotivatedstudenttocomplete curricular workandaddress the licensingexamyears aheadofthe presentaverage.Becauseofthe shadowing andinternshipexperiences,partnerships between officesandschoolsare increasing, further enhancing the desired goal of bringing the academy and practice closer along thecontinuum. The AccomplishmentofLicensure Alongwitha Responsibility forContinuingLifelong 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 forcedme tosum upmyexperiencein practice.It becameclear tome that itdefinedme and validated me as a professional with real responsibilities for the health, safety and welfareofpeople.Itbecame myproofofthevalueofmyworktothepublic.Because the process toward licensure is a milestone that ultimately validates the education and practiceofthe individual,boththe academy andtheofficemust takeresponsibility for mentoring and guidingtheindividualto licensure. VoluntaryMembershipinaProfessionalAssociationAlongwiththeVoluntary Acceptanceofa Code ofEthics

3. Voluntary membership in a professionalassociationopens opportunities toidentify and interactwithlike-mindedpeers.Thisisatradition thatextends wellintoWesternhistory 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 scholarshipand casestudiesfrompractice. As important as voluntary membership in a professional association is, it is equally important tocommittothe voluntary acceptanceofa relatedcode of ethics.Theethical conduct of the profession is dependent on the personal commitment of every member to a sharedsystem ofbeliefsandimplies thatbuildings willhavea powerful consistency focused on human-centereddesign. 5. TheCommitment toProBonoActivityEven asitMayLead to NewFormsof ProfessionalActivity Truly,one ofthe mostimportantaspects of aprofessionallife istheunderstandingof the necessity of a commitment to the less fortunate of our society. As architectural professionals,weare more thanarchitects.We arecitizen architectsand designers.Itis activitythatbroadensour understandingof the worldwhileweseeto thequalityoflife, thepublicwelfare,ofeventhe mostunderserved amongus.I believethatgiving returns ten-fold to the profession. It increases our value to society because we have first demonstrated ourvalue.Itmovesusto thinkbeyondtraditional roles for our critical and creativeabilities.Ourcommitmentbeyondourselves callsuponourbetternature. The common ingredientamongeach of the five marks ofaprofessionalisthe unyielding commitmentto raising the standardsofthe profession.Thismustbeour sharedcommitmentirrespectiveofthe perspective we bring tothis discussion.Itwill be foundation ofthe respectwehavefor each otherand itwill giveusreason totrusteach other.