architect54

My goal is to get my architectural license “in one year.” One year from when? From when I officially got authorization to test or from passing my first exam or what? Keep the context of time in mind when you set up your goals. I recommend writing down goals, so they can be reevaluated later. Seems I didn’t set up the specific start date when I wrote down my goal. I got my authorization to test July 08, so I’m shooting to have taken all of my exams by July 2009. 

In some ways I would like to ride the wave of intensity of the 3.1 crowd rushing to pass the architectural registration exam before the July 2009 deadline. (For those who don’t know, 3.1 test takers have to convert to the new (or rather modified) 4.0 exam in July ‘09 or possibly lose credit for exams they have taken. Possibly losing credit for up to four exams could seriously set back someone’s progress.) 

I think I have tapped into the urgency from 3.1 testers as they cram in exams. Any of you ARE candidates or others in the Intern Development Program (”I-wanna-become-an-architect”) process take a close look at the urgency (calm yet fevered panic) occurring around you now. See if there are ways for you to benefit. With 3 or so weeks left in December, there’s a person in our office setting up to schedule, I think, eight exams this December! Ouch. Take some of that urgency around you and see if you can use it to your advantage.

One over the other right now. RA vs MBA.

MBA wins this December 2009.

This excess MBA work, that I imposed upon myself knowingly, is hampering my focus. (What gets me is I chose to do this. I look back in disbelief on my innocence.) If you pursue an MBA have a written plan of what you expect to learn and your expected outcome (goals). I sort of have one, but I’m going to have to edit it to re-focus.

The motivation behind the MBA course work is different from architecture school. The course work is often driven around the concept of money. The bottom line, end result, desired intent is on making money (or helping yourself). The motivation in architecture school is on the built object (or helping someone else). This more altruistic drive persists in architecture (academic and professional).

I am still squeezing in some studying. I’ll keep you posted.