Podcast – Architect Exam Prep – ARE Prep Courses

“Change is inevitable. Change is constant.” – Benjamin Disraeli

A lot of buzz has been happening within the last couple of months about NCARB’s new ARE 5.0 hitting the streets in late 2016. In this episode, we discuss the overview as well as a strategy to transition from 4.0 to 5.0 that includes taking only 5 of the new 6 exams.

Show Notes:

DETAILS:

Construction Documents & Services

The new ARE 5.0 will consist of 6 divisions which will include:

Practice Management

WHAT:

each division will cost $210.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR EXISTING CANDIDATES (underway with ARE):

BUT GRAPHIC QUESTIONS:The division structure for ARE 5.0 incorporates graphics throughout the exam through new performance item types like hot spots

AND CASE STUDY QUESTIONS:

You can take both versions of the exam:

They offer a ARE 5.0 Transition Calculator to see which of your existing exams map to the new 5.0 exam.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR NEW CANDIDATES? (should you wait?)

The rolling clock is still in effect:

Keep testing in ARE 4.0! The average candidate finishes the ARE in two years—meaning most candidates currently testing will be done with ARE 4.0 before ARE 5.0 even launches.

TAKE 6 EXAMS FOR THE PRICE OF 5

If you pass these three divisions in ARE 4.0, you will only need to take two additional divisions in ARE 5.0

you could finish the ARE in only five divisions

SEE: http://www.ncarb.org/ARE/~/media/Files/PDF/Brochure/ARE5_CreditModel.ashx

WHY THE NEW UPDATE? Why are they doing this to me?!

These divisions are a change from the current seven division structure in an effort to align the divisions of the ARE with the more commonly defined professional architecture activities of practice management, project management, and project design.

The proposed direction for ARE 5.0 was informed by:

WHEN AVAILABLE?

LINKS:

ARE 5.0 Home Page

ARE 5.0 Test Specification

ARE 5.0 Transition Plan

Timeline to ARE 5.0

ARE 5.0 FAQs

Transition Plan

Credit Model

ARE 5.0 Transition Calculator

If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!

It’s that time of year to look back on where you’ve been and look forward to where you want to go. The best way to look ahead is create clear and actionable goals.

We discuss how to identify and set goals and help you put steps in place to make sure 2016 is a smashing success!

Show Notes:

Today we discuss how to identify and set goals.

Why does the New Year trigger new resolutions?

A successful career in Architecture doesn’t happen by luck or by chance. It requires a clear vision of what you want, setting tangible goals, and then assigning tasks to work toward those goals.

PASSING THE ARE (from Aubrey’s article Make a New Year’s Resolution…To Become Licensed!)

– Make a visual aid

All 3 of these tips are about committing to something and holding your feet to the fire.

168 Hours

If you’re working a full time job at a firm, there goes another 40-50 hours (not counting lunch or commute times) bringing you down to 69 hours. Adding in time for bathing, grooming, eating and other necessities, you’re down to (maybe) 55 hours a week.

That free 55 hours seems like a lot, doesn’t it? Yet why do you feel so strapped for time? It’s because you lack focus and clear goals. It’s because you don’t make a plan for your time and get distracted.

Distractions are everywhere

Keep a daily log of how you spent your week

Unintentional Goals

highlight past podcasts on:

Intentional Goals

You’ll want to set 3-5 big goals for the coming year, and other longer term goals for the future.

Goals are not Wishes

sample goals:

Assigning Tasks

Breaking it down into these simple steps provides you with a clear roadmap to succeed.

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If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!

Maybe you’re not able to find a full time job. Or maybe you’re looking for a change. Whatever your reason, you might want to consider a new role as a Consultant. You can become a valuable asset to several firms at one time and add more variety to your workload.

It could be an alternative career path or a way to find some work and pay the bills in between full time jobs. Becoming a Consultant can be a rewarding move but it isn’t for everyone. In this episode, we discuss who might fit the consultant mold as well as discuss the advantages and disadvantages. If you’ve ever considered the consultant path, this is the episode for you!

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Show Notes:

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If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!

At some point in our young architecture careers, we will be faced with an opportunity to moonlight. It may come from mom or dad, a cousin, or long lost relative. When you’re in architecture, word travels among your family and you’ll soon hear from Uncle Al who needs a new deck designed. But the question is, should you do it?

The decision to moonlight has several ramifications. You could find yourself in deep trouble or in the beginnings of a great start to opening your own firm. It is not to be taken lightly and can have serious consequences, especially if you’re doing it without your firm’s permission. Before taking on any moonlighting work, be sure to listen to this episode. It could prevent you from making several fatal mistakes.

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Show Notes:

MOONLIGHTING (aka working on the side)

Sounds too good to be true, right?

Run the risk of exhausting yourself and getting your firm and co-workers in trouble

Everyone thinks about it but you need to know the full story

CONSIDERATIONS

Most firms that have policies in place against moonlighting

MAY allow exceptions for projects that benefit family members

WHAT TO CHARGE

You will have taxes to pay, so it should be about 3x your current hourly rate (varies)

LEGAL ISSUES

Work may be construed by the client (and the client’s attorney) as being produced under the supervision of the firm, thereby exposing your firm to liability by association for any of your negligent acts

If you use firm resources, like copiers, Fax’s, cad equipment, and advice from office peers.

Firm policies could get you fired (no-moonlighting policies—but that never stopped anyone)

Attorney looks for the bigger fish

WHY YOU?

Do they love you or your work

What will doing this do do for you (know your reasons why)

NO NO’s

Don’t practice unlicensed or hold yourself out as licensed if you’re not

Don’t use your company’s equipment (liability)

Don’t exhaust yourself

Don’t involve your co-workers or trust them to keep it a secret

But never lie if caught

Don’t do this work without a contract (just cause you’re doing it on the side, doesn’t change the requirements)

Liability insurance (especially if its your first jobs) – errors and omissions (E&O)

PROS to MOONLIGHTING

Launch your own practice

Make more money

No startup (code books, plotters, and more)

Will help you discover why you’re looking (you should have been fulfilled by your job, right?)

Gets you experience you might not get otherwise

Confidence building

More creativity

Portfolio builder

ALTERNATIVES

Bring the work into the firm (rainmaker approach)

Talk to your boss before accepting to share your future career goals

Boss could pass along work they don’t want to do to you

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If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!

For some of us, becoming an Architect is something we have envisioned since we were beginning to walk. For others, we don’t realize it until later in life. Becoming an Architect can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life.

No matter when you decide when you want to be come an Architect, we lay the path for you (albeit a long and sometimes windy one). We discuss the 4 main steps of licensure, from Education to Licensure.

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Show Notes:

4 Steps to Licensure

1. Education

1. Education

Accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

Students should visit the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture website (ACSA) to access A Student’s Guide to Education including information on architectural education, becoming an architect, and selecting a school.

Each state’s architectural registration board sets it’s own standards, so graduating from a non-accredited program may meet educational requirement.

Three types of professional degrees in architecture are available (from NCARB’s website):

Education Evaluation Services for Architects – EESA

The NAAB’s Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA) program enables you to have your non-accredited degree assessed to determine if it meets the NCARB Education Standard for licensure and identify what, if any, deficiencies remain to be satisfied.

NOTE: The Bachelor of Science in Architecture is not a NAAB accredited degree. (just B. Arch and M. Arch).

2. Internship

Intern Development Program – current program is 3,740 hours, dropped from about 5600 hours.

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

3. Examination

Architect Registration Exam: 4.0. – 7 exams.

Architect Registration Exam: 5.0 coming late 2016 – 6 exams.

California Supplemental Exam – Supplemental required by California after completing the ARE.

4. Licensure

Check with State that license will be obtained for requirements.

Granted by the State where candidate is seeking licensure.

54 Jurisdictions: 50 states plus D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands.

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If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a review. It would really help us spread the word about the ARE Podcast. Thanks!