Q&A With Newly Registered Architects
Becoming a Licensed Architect requires serious dedication and commitment. Architects Josh Kasper, AIA, Jen Snell, AIA, and Sam Schaust, AIA answer a few questions following obtaining their new credentials.
What steps did you take throughout your testing process?
JK: I had to make studying a priority and as a result I had to sacrifice time spent with my family and friends. I repurposed my lunch hours as study time and spent evenings and weekends studying as much as I could. Testing every 1-2 months in order to pass all 6 exams in the calendar year of 2021.
JS: Tried to follow a study guide for the exams, the study material was set for a test each month, but I took the 3 shorter exams on a 2-week schedule. Anything longer than a month was hard to retain.
SS: The long answer of my journey towards licensure would be – 4 years undergrad, 2 years masters, 3 different internships, 2.5 years of experience, and 1 year of testing
How does this prepare you for the future?
JK: I feel a sense of validation and renewed sense of confidence that I do have the appropriate tools and knowledge to be an architect. It has also taught me that I will never know everything and will need to research, learn and grow every day.
JS: It opens up more options for career advancement and adds credibility to our office expertise
SS: This prepares me for the future because I learned so much while both studying for and taking the tests. Despite still having a lot to learn, I feel like I am now much better equipped to do my job as an architect.
How will you apply this to projects?
JK: Everything that I have learned will be applied in some way to all of my projects. The comprehensive nature of these exams means that every project will be affected by the knowledge I have gained.
JS: We (Elevatus) pride ourselves on our knowledge and trust with our clients. Licensure shows that we are always learning.
SS: It made me a more knowledgeable and well-rounded problem-solver.
What advice would you give to someone who is pursuing a career in architecture with goals to achieve receiving their registered credentials?
JK: Do not take long breaks in between your education and tests. I took nearly 7 years off between my bachelors and masters degrees and then another 2 years off before testing. I felt that I had to relearn some concepts and ideas that would have been much fresher had I not had these long gaps. However, the work experience I had gained during that time also proved to be valuable.
JS: Be ready for a long process, but in the end it will pay off, if you are willing to put in the work.
SS: Try to learn as much as possible in your internships/full-time job. Never have the attitude of “this doesn’t apply to me so I didn’t need to learn it.” The more you know about the entire building industry the better. Not only will it make you make you a better architect, but you never know what kind of question you’ll get on the registration tests!
