You need to understand what it takes to become an architect. I could probably fill my entire thumb drive if I were to reveal all of the requirements. Simply stated it’s a long and difficult but also a very rewarding process. Like completing a marathon, becoming a licensed architect is a grueling process that requires time, dedication, perseverance, setbacks, and thrills. They each represent a great personal achievement.
Becoming an architect requires a professional degree from an accredited school of architecture. At a minimum this is a five year process and more likely a six year process. Following the degree the potential architect must obtain employment working under the tutelage of another licensed architect. This is typically referred to as the internship. Similar to the medical profession, architects must obtain and document required minimum professional experience in all aspects of professional practice. Internship usually requires three to five years to complete the requirements in the prescribed areas of professional practice.
Once the internship is completed the real fun begins, for this is where the potential architect must go through a rigorous series of six separate (and expensive) licensing exams. These exams cover the topics of structure, design, technology, professional practice, and more. It’s not unusual for many candidates to take as long as a year or more to successfully pass all of the exams. Once passed only then can they claim themselves to be an architect!
So what does this have to do with becoming a better runner?
Well, I am a firm believer that running in groups or running with a partner that challenges you makes you a better runner. When running alone it’s easy for a runner to back down from a pace, loose mental focus, generally become distracted, or simply cut a scheduled workout short.
