Starting a career as an architect is an exciting prospect, but it's important to do your research before you take the plunge. The third edition of Becoming an Architect is an update to the best-selling guide and highlights the risks and rewards on the path to a career as an architect. You'll find new insight and tons of helpful resources, as well as a complete outline of the trajectory of an architect's early career, from higher education through internship and licensure. More than thirty-two new interviews and profiles from architecture students, emerging, and established professionals give the resource a truly personal feel, and help get you acquainted with real-life scenarios from architects from varying backgrounds and specialties

1.

Definition of an architect -- What do architects do? -- Design process -- Why architecture? -- Is architecture for you? -- Profile of the profession --

2.

Education of the architect -- Preparation -- Academic coursework -- Paths to an accredited degree -- Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.) -- Pre-Professional Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Master of Architecture (M. Arch.) -- Undergraduate degrees in fields other than architecture -- Doctor of Architecture (D. Arch.) -- Joint degrees -- Post-professional degrees -- Decision-making process -- Architecture Program -- Resources -- Promotional materials, videos, catalogs, and websites -- Guide to Architecture Schools/ARCHSchools.org -- Career days in architecture -- Campus visits -- Admissions counselor/administrator -- Students, faculty, alumni, and architects -- National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) -- Architecture Program Report (APR) /Visiting Team Report (VTR) -- Ranking of architecture programs -- Application process -- Application -- Application essay/personal statement -- Researching a graduate program -- Test scores -- Transcripts -- Portfolio -- Recommendations -- Scholarships/fellowships/competitions -- You are an architecture student -- Student performance : educational realms and student performance criteria -- Courses -- Architecture electives -- Academic enrichment -- Off-campus programs (study abroad) -- Independent study -- Minors/certificates -- Double major/degrees/joint degrees -- Lecture series/exhibits/reviews -- Community service -- Mentoring -- Student organizations -- Conclusions

3.

Experience of an architect -- Gaining experience as a student -- Shadow -- Volunteer -- Research with faculty -- Externship -- Internship -- Cooperative education -- Preceptorship -- Career-related experience -- Gaining experience as an emerging professional -- Full-time positions -- Volunteer -- Design competitions -- Mentoring -- Professional Associations -- A.R.C.H.I.T.E.C.T. -- Assessment -- Research -- Connections -- Help -- Interim positions -- Tools -- Experience -- Commitment -- Transition -- Moving toward licensure -- Intern Development Program (IDP) -- Architect Registration Examination (ARE) -- Intern Development Program (IDP) Experience Categories and Areas -- NCARB Certificate -- Conclusion --

4.

Careers of an architect -- Career designing -- Assessing -- Exploring -- Decision making -- Planning -- Career paths -- Architectural practice -- Architect positions -- Outside traditional practice -- Beyond architecture -- Career paths of an architect --

5.

Future of the architecture profession -- Sustainability -- New technologies/social media -- Building Information Modeling (BIM) -- New practices -- Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) -- Collaboration -- Diversity -- Globalization -- Public Interest Design -- Distance education/learning -- Future -- Next architect : a new twist on the future of design -- Appendix A. Resources of an architect -- Collateral organizations -- Architecture-related associations -- Associations-related careers -- Architectural History -- Construction -- Design (graphic, industrial, furniture, lighting) -- Historic preservation -- Interior design -- Planning/landscape architecture -- Technical/engineering -- Dedicated to architecture -- Community service -- Recommended reading -- Websites -- Appendix B. Accredited architecture programs in the United States and Canada -- Appendix C. Career profiles