tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685608788672533401.post1219259627345383859..comments2022-04-05T03:02:08.815-06:00Comments on Intern 101: The dark side of architectural firmsLulu Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14713133001416080918noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685608788672533401.post-52959564870432973562011-03-22T11:46:06.121-06:002011-03-22T11:46:06.121-06:00As I understand it only 23 states acknowledge the ...As I understand it only 23 states acknowledge the IDP process. The remaining balance still require only a degree and (time) work experience.<br /><br />Perhaps, interns need to Re-Evaluate the goal of a license.<br /><br />I've been told most firms take out loans to pay their employees b/c clients aren't paying on time. Hence most architects rather work for a firm than own one!<br /><br />So if the goal of taking the exam is just a BADGE of Honor, a righ of passage, a sign of maturity and not a means to practice- than maybe interns need to just register in another state which doesnt require IDP. Interns can then just sit for the exam in their home state and have the license in another.<br /><br />Food for thought and banter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685608788672533401.post-87714848065646433872010-06-30T20:38:32.455-06:002010-06-30T20:38:32.455-06:00Anon: Very good question. I will put your questio...Anon: Very good question. I will put your question to my contacts at NCARB to find out what ethical/legal recourse, if any, interns may have in your situation. From your description, it sounds like you're the victim of horrible management at your firm.<br /><br />Let me do some digging and I'll post on it soon.Lulu Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14713133001416080918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685608788672533401.post-3634078836579291902010-06-30T14:48:30.248-06:002010-06-30T14:48:30.248-06:00Hi Lulu, I am 'anon' who originally provid...Hi Lulu, I am 'anon' who originally provided the comments on IDP. Thank you so much for elaborating on the IDP topic for other interns. Hopefully, they are now aware that 'dark' architecture firms exist. <br /><br />Lulu wrote this "Anon, I'm curious if they told you what was a "legitimate" goal to have, if finishing IDP wasn't one?" <br /><br />Yes the 'dark' architecture firm did tell me what a "legitimate" goal to have was: They told me a legitimate goal to have at their firm was to become a project manager. Lulu, I didn't understand this advice from them. I replied to this by saying IDP was created with the intention of allowing individuals like me to gain the necessary well rounded experience that will enable me to become a better project manager in the future. I thought the IDP requirements are a prerequisite to becoming a project manager. The 'dark architecture firm's management' also told me that the goal of finishing the IDP requirements was way to narrow in scope at their firm. <br /><br />Lulu also wrote this, "First off, it's unconscionable that Anon's supervisor wasn't even licensed--that means no hours s/he earns can be counted for IDP, since you have to work under the supervision of a licensed architect. (There may be some loophole for that, maybe someone else would sign his/her IDP forms, but that's unethical in my book.) And that to me tells me something immediately--when the person I'm answering to as an intern isn't even licensed, is this company really serious about whether I get licensed?"-Lulu, the 'dark firm' had another manager at the firm who was licensed sign my IDP employment verification forms. My so called IDP supervisor rarely took the time to say anything to me. Additionally, the short sighted manager I was working under spent no more than 5 minutes a week talking to me. If I did ask a question such as "Does this restroom for this hospital building shell plan need an ADA 5' turning clear space in it?" (I already knew the answer was "yes". This is for a hospital for crying-out-loud.) My short sighted manager would have to go ask the code expert at the firm. The code expert would tell the short sighted manager 'yes'. Then, I would get the assignment to fix all the restrooms to be ADA compliant. (The short sighted manager's other team members originally designed the restroom layouts, I was only picking up red lines.) This infuriated the short sighted manager. He would then report to upper management that I wasn't doing what I was supposed to be doing just because I asked a code question about the drawings. He told upper management that I was holding his team up and that his team didn't have time for that 'shit'. <br /><br />This maybe an unethical practice, Lulu, but what can an intern architect really do about it? The firm will certainly find a reason to fire you if you said anything about it. What legal avenues can an intern take? Can an intern report this 'dark firm' to NCARB?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com