Internally Yours: Your AIBC Intern Architect Rep to Council Blog

RAIC in 2007

I'm not exactly sure why intern architects in particular would want to be a Member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada - I asked them what the benefits are back in the summer, but they have yet to respond. I also asked them if they would consider an intern architect on their board. Anyways, I'm just not aware of what they offer interns in particular. But I guess you can buy a CHOP (Canadian Handbook of Practice) at a discount.

In any case, if this sort of thing peaks your interest and you are willing to part with $75, get a membership soon! They don't pro-rate fees like the AIBC does, and the membership is valid per calendar year starting in January. It's cheaper for interns than architects. Architects pay $305 a year, while interns pay $75 for 3 years ($305 after that - is that a hint?!). Architectural graduates of 2006 pay nothing - what a deal!

Talked to Colin Wong, AIBC Director of Communications the other day. He said, write in your blog that there's an AIBC Open House on Monday Dec. 11th, 5-8pm. I'm at a Council meeting specially timed at 2pm to prelude to the festivities. We're fed too, despite the late hour. Somehow, before or after feeding, a group photo. Evidence of attendance I guess. Presentations by board chairs. I wonder who they are?

Thursday is Intern Architect Committee meeting. Haven't read what's on the agenda, but I'm adding a few things!

Roaming through the AIA website, which seems to be vastly different than the RAIC in terms of content relevant to interns. A report from 2001 seems interesting: Collateral Internship Task Force Final Report (http://www.aia.org/idp_citfreport). Imagine being called an "architect" when you graduate from architecture school!

"IX. Architecture graduates should be recognized for their knowledge and abilities.

Appropriate titling, responsibility, and compensation should reflect an individual's stage of achievement.

1. Compensation should correspond to an individual's level of responsibility, experience, and education.
2. With the achievement of goals one through eight, titling should reflect an individual's stage of professional development.
- "Architecture student" is used to describe those individuals who are dedicating a significant portion of their lives to the formal study of architecture.
- "Architect" is used to describe professional degree graduates of an accredited program as they pursue one of the diverse career paths for which their architectural education has prepared them, based on the full and successful implementation of the concepts espoused in this report.
This recommendation presumes that through the collaborative process outlined herein, there is an elevation of the quality of the education, experience, and examination process. The recommendation further presumes a fundamental paradigm shift from the current exclusionary and qualifying environment, to one of inclusion of emerging professionals. By including these graduates, they will have the potential to become more engaged in the profession as a whole, and contribute to the profession and society because of their elevation and status that recognizes their skills and knowledge.
Through the celebration and inclusion of these architects within the larger context of society, these individuals have the potential to expand the influence of the highest values and aspirations of the architectural profession and the quality of the built environment in service to society.
- "Registered architect" is used to describe those individuals legally responsible for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the public."

More fun stuff: http://committees.architects.org/IDP/support.html - so good I'm going to put it on my links to the left. Good stuff re: inter-friendly firms. Also check out "The Intern Trap". Apparently in the states they've had national "Intern Summits" that flesh out concerns of interns.

posted by Lisa @ 3:42 PM