An intern should be confident in his abilities and skills at the completion of the IDP process and be fully prepared to begin the Architectural Registration Examination. The internship process also should prepare the intern to become a leader in the profession.
The only characteristics that the intern is lacking at the completion of the internship process are those gained from years of experience. It is for this reason that the Internship Development Process must stiffen the requirements for the mentor/intern relationship as well as encourage involvement with professional organizations in the construction industry.

The current minimal requirement of the intern to acquire a mentor does not adequately encourage the mentor/intern relationship that is needed to advance the experience level of the intern. IDP recommends that interns find a mentor that is not at the same firm, but I
believe having an unbiased mentor should be mandatory. The problem with the system is due to few architects having the incentive to participate in the mentorship process outside of their own firm, and many interns lacking the connections to acquire a mentor from outside their firm. Perhaps IDP could pair qualified architects with fledgling interns in much the same way that schools of education pair student teachers with experienced and qualified classroom teachers. As incentive to participate, registered architects could earn
continuing education credits through mentoring. Interns face many challenges throughout their professional development that will impact their careers. Unbiased mentors can provide interns with the insight needed to achieve their goals and become the next leaders of the profession.

Along the same lines, community service requirements in the internship process should require involvement in a variety of professional organizations that will activate the intern’s experience and allow for growth into a leader of the profession. Through participation in professional organizations such as the American Institute of Architects, Construction Specifications Institute, Habitat for Humanity, and the Home Builders Association, interns not only can shape the path of their careers, but also the perception of our profession to others in the construction industry. For example, involvement in CSI can expose the intern to all participants in the construction industry, enlighten the intern to how others in the construction industry make decisions, and provide the intern with a platform to test their perspectives on an audience that will have to execute their design decisions.

Interns are the key individuals with the energy level and ambition to drive the profession and lead design decisions that influence the quality of life into the next generation. The internship process should focus more attention on the role of mentors in IDP and on the importance of involvement in professional organizations. These two changes can provide interns with a meaningful internship that has a balanced perspective on how environments are created.