Welcome back to my series, "Why Architects Merit Their Fees." We've explored the realms of architectural internships and the rigorous ExAC exams, and now, we're tackling another critical milestone - the Oral Exams.
After passing the challenging written exams and enduring a 3-5 month wait for the results, aspiring architects must complete their logbook of hours. I want to revisit the adversarial relationship between interns and employers that we touched upon earlier. Please note that these are individual anecdotes and do not represent the profession as a whole. Yet, the tension between interns and employers often intensifies at this stage.
Employers, having an Intern Architect on a reasonably lower salary, may not see it in the firm's best interest for the Intern to become an Architect. As the title is controlled by the professional body and not the employer, the intern will expect a substantial pay raise with the new title. However, the employer may not agree that the intern merits the raise accompanying this promotion. Therefore, it's not unheard of for firms to strike hours from logbooks or be less accommodating in providing the hours an intern needs to complete their internship. This situation can sometimes force interns to leave companies or have uncomfortable discussions with their employers.
Those fortunate enough to complete their hours can submit an application (incurring more fees) to their professional body to become an Architect. At this stage in BC, the Intern must take 4 classes ($250 each) covering various subjects. In Alberta, they must take an ethics course and a building envelope course before the Oral Examinations. Despite further extensive commitment, I personally found these courses useful.
Being registered in Alberta, I can only recount the oral exams I took there. We had to prepare a portfolio and a timeline of all our projects, along with design drawings. This preparation involved reaching out to old employers and compiling as much as possible since the interviewers' questions were unpredictable. Then came the day of the oral examinations, and the final steps to becoming an Architect were within reach.
Join us next time as we unravel the final steps to becoming an architect and how it all contributes to the grand scheme of "Why Architects Merit Their Fees." Stay tuned!
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