Becoming an Architect: A Guide to Careers in Design

353 Pages·2009·0.2 MB·English

by  Lee W. Waldrep

Becoming an
A R C H I T E C T
ii BECOMING AN ARCHITECT
Other Titles in the Series
Becoming a Digital Designer
Steven Heller and David Womack
Becoming a Graphic Designer, Third Edition
Steven Heller and Teresa Fernandes
Becoming an Interior Designer, Second Edition
Christine M. Piotrowski FASID, IIDA
Becoming Landscape Architect
Kelleann Foster
Becoming a Product Designer
Bruce Hannah
Becoming an Urban Planner
Michael Bayer, AICP, Nancy Frank, Ph.D., AICP, and Jason Valerius, AICP
THE DEFINITION OF AN ARCHITECT iii
SECOND EDITION
Becoming an
A R C H I T E C T
A Guide to Careers in Design
Lee W. Waldrep, Ph.D.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
This book is printed on acid-free paper. o
Copyright ©2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Waldrep, Lee W.
Becoming an architect : a guide to careers in design / by Lee W. Waldrep. -- 2nd ed.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-0-470-37210-4 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Architecture--Vocational guidance. I. Title. II. Title: Guide to careers in design.
NA1995.W35 2010
720.23--dc22
2009014021
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
To Cassidy, Karli, Anslie,
and my loving wife, Sherry

CONTENTS
FOREWORD xi Academic Coursework 74
Exploration 76
PREFACE xiii
Visits 76
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xv Summers 77
After-School Programs 78
Question̶What Advice Would You
1 The Definition of an Architect 1
Provide to Someone Who Wants to Be
an Architect? 79

What Do Architects Do? 2 Interviews 86
Paths to an Accredited Degree 100
Why Architecture? 4
Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) 100
Is Architecture for You? 4
Pre-Professional Bachelor of Science
Question̶What Is Architecture? 5
(B.S.) and Master of Architecture

Interviews 11
(M.Arch.) 101
Profile of the Profession 37 Undergraduate Degrees (B.A./B.S.) in
Fields Other than Architecture and
Salary 38
Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) 102
Diversity 38
Doctor of Architecture (D.Arch.) 102
Question̶What Are the Most Important
Post-Professional Degrees 102
Skills an Architect Needs to Be
Successful? 39 Decision-Making Process 103
 Interviews 45 You 104
Institution 105
2 The Education of an Architecture Program 106
Architect 71 Resources 109
Promotional Materials, Videos,
Catalogs, and Websites 109
Preparation 72
Guide to Architecture Schools/
Toys 72
ARCHSchools.org 109
Books 72 Career Days in Architecture 109
Activities 73 Campus Visits/Open Houses 110
Programs 73 Admissions Counselor/Administrator 110
Selected Books on Architecture for Students, Faculty, Alumni, and
Children 73 Architects 110
vii
viii CONTENTS
National Architectural Accrediting Board Research with Faculty 170
(NAAB) 110
Externship 170
Architecture Program Report
Internship 171
(APR)/Visiting Team Report (VTR) 111
Ranking of Architecture Programs 111 Cooperative Education 172
Career-Related Experience (Part-Time/
Application Process 111
Summer) 173
Application 112
Full-Time Positions 173
Essay Questions/Personal Statement 112
Question̶What Do You Look for
Test Scores 112
When Hiring a New Designer? 174
Transcripts 113 
Interviews 178
Portfolio 113
A.R.C.H.I.T.E.C.T. 200
Recommendations 114
Assessment 200
Scholarships/Fellowships/Competitions 114
 Research 200
Interviews 116
Connections 200
You Are an Architecture Student 134
Help 201
Student Performance—Education Realms
and Student Performance Criteria 135 Interim Positions 201
Courses 139 Tools 201
Architecture Electives: A Sample 143 Experience 203
Tools 143 Commitment 203
Academic Enrichment 144 Transition 203
Independent Study 144 Moving Toward Licensure 204
Minors/Certificates 144 Intern Development Program (IDP) 204
Double Major/Degrees/Dual Degrees 145 Intern Development Program (IDP)
Off-Campus Programs (Semester Abroad) 145 Training Areas 206
Lecture Series/Galleries/Reviews 145 Architect Registration Examination
(ARE) 208
Community Service 147
NCARB Certificate 209
Mentoring 147

Student Organizations 148 Interviews 210
Conclusion 148
 Interviews 149 4 The Careers of an
Architect 239
3 The Experience of an
Architect 169 Career Designing 239
Assessing 240
Gaining Experience as a Student 170 Exploring 242
Shadow 170 Decision Making 244
Volunteer 170 Planning 245