If you could change just one thing about architectural internship, what would it be? I would allow me to take the Test.

I became a graduate architect over thirty years ago and have worked in architecture-related jobs on behalf of the Department of Defense, NASA, and my state government ever since. IDP says that I need more design experience. I've taughtcollege-level classes on cost estimating and estimated the construction cost of the entire Space Defense Initiative; IDP says that I need to know more about cost estimating. I've managed design-build teams in Kuwait and Afghanistan while under enemy fire; IDP says I need more management experience. And so on.

I'm going to retire from government service soon, but I won't be able to practice architecture unless you let me take the Test. I admit my interest in this "one thing" is self-centered and self-serving but for the sake of the IDP panel discussion the change that I suggest has a broader application.

Many graduate architects of my generation have not participated in the traditional practice of architecture. They are not failed architects, they are individuals who have applied the unique training and the distinctive thought processes which distinguish our profession to areas beyond the practitioner's office. Many of these people are now in a position to contribute their experience to the general architectural community and by doing so expand the base of knowledge and the scope of capability for the entire profession. But, like me, they don't have three years to spend as the "new intern" even though, in my case, I expect to spend another twenty-plus years in the profession.

The IDP has provision to give credit for experience but it is a sparse provision, quickly expended by most people who are credited a few Training Units for decades of professional experience. There is no provision to evaluate the career and total life-time achievement of an IDP applicant. I contend that the IDP should be changed to permit a Graybeard to petition a committee of Fellows for peer-group evaluation. If the Fellows determine that the petitioner is qualified, the Petitioner may then take the Test. Failure in any category would require additional Training Units in that category equal to the IDP requirement.

Admittedly there are only a few people who could benefit by a change in the IDP approach to evaluating and crediting the career of a graduate architect. (Me being the most important one.) Regardless of the number of individuals that would subsequently be admitted into the ranks of licensed professionals the net result would be improvement in the profession.
After all we didn't get this gray from standing around the office water cooler.