Never Give Up, No Matter What

If you want to be an Architect, you must be patient (and aware of the fact that, contrary to popular belief, you do NOT make the big bucks). Let me tell you a little about my journey.

First, I had to get an accredited Bachelor of Architecture, which is a 5-year degree (not a 4-year one stretched out, but seriously 10 semesters). I went to school here:


Upon graduation, you join the group of the profession:


As a new grad (and someone who is not yet licensed) you are called an "associate" member of the AIA.

So now you have a job! You work very long hours for little pay (my school teacher roommate made more money that I when we were both new grads, if that puts the "not the big bucks" statement into perspective). If you ever intend to be a licensed Architect (which is what we pretty much have to be for the most respect within the profession) you have to participate in the Intern Development Program:

This is a program that is designed to make sure all new grads gain knowledge in the 16 designated areas of the profession (in their opinion). Your progress is monitored by a licensed Architect within your firm. This can easily take 3 years to accomplish, as new grads are often pigeon-holed into one role (i.e. you don't always get to do everything). For me, it took 5 years! So to recap, 5 years of school, then 5 years of IDP. What's next?

When the IDP is complete, then -- and only then -- is an architecture grad eligible to take the Architect Registration Examination. It's not some $100 single exam... no, there are NINE exams, each which cost over $100. Some people are fortunate enough to breeze right through all of them. NOT ME!

I have been testing for the past 5 1/2 years. I only passed 3 of the 9 on the first try. It was very, very frustrating. I figured out after a while that I must not be a good test taker, because I certainly studied (and was quite successful on the job, I must say -- but couldn't manage to pass these irrelevant exams!) Once you fail one, you have to wait 6 months to be able to retake it. And they instituted a policy called the "rolling clock" at one point, and so if you didn't pass them all within 5 years after the clock started, you'd have to start all over. Yikes!

So I kept on trying, feeling like quite the idiot for not being able to do what my peers apparently handled as easily as a walk in the park (a lot of them, anyway). Did I want to just give up? Of course. It was torture. Trying so hard and always failing is NOT fun. Why me? I need that license!

I moved to Mississippi "8 for 9" and retook the final exam in early August (for the 7th time...) Well guess what! As of yesterday I found out that I PASSED!!!! I'm all done! I am licensed! These folks say so:

Because I started the registration process in Arkansas (God's country!) my license is from Arkansas. I'll have to get reciprocal licensure in Mississippi (forms and money - waaaaaay easier than more tests!)

So yesterday was the best day of my ENTIRE CAREER. I finally achieved the ultimate!!! Now I will be Susan, AIA! I can do bigger and better things and will be more respected. Whoo hoo!

Thank God I never gave up.