The 2005 Internship & Career Survey was divided into 7 categories:

Education
Career
Current Employment
Internship
Architect Registration Exam
Opinions about architecture professional preparation
About You

Education

1. Which of these degrees have you earned (if any)?

--Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.): 53%
--Master of Architecture (M.Arch.): 31%
--pre-professional undergraduate degree (BA, BS, BED): 23%
--non-architecture undergraduate degree: 8%
--graduate architecture degree (not an M.Arch.): 2%
--non-architecture graduate degree: 3%
--associate's degree from community college, junior college, technical school, etc.: 6%
--indicated one or more: 94%
--none of these: 4%

1a. If you've earned an accredited degree (B.Arch. or M.Arch.), in what year did you earn that degree?

--2005: 1%
--2004: 12%
--2003: 12%
--2002: 12%
--2001: 10%
--2000: 8%
--1995 - 1999: 24%
--1990 - 1994: 11%
--before 1990: 7%
--mean: 1999
--median: 2000

1b. If you've earned an accredited degree (B.Arch. or M.Arch.), at what point did you obtain your first professional architecture job?

--prior to entering B.Arch. or M.Arch. program: 17%
--during B.Arch. or M.Arch. program: 44%
--after earning B.Arch. or M.Arch.: 36%
--have not yet obtained first professional architecture job: 2%

2. Are you currently in school?

--yes, in an undergraduate (bachelors) pre-professional program: 2%
--yes, in a B.Arch. program: 4%
--yes, in an undergraduate non-architecture program: 0%
--yes, in an M.Arch. program: 4%
--yes, in another graduate architecture program: 1%
--yes, in a graduate non-architecture program: 1%
--no: 87%

Career

3. Did you have a previous career before going into architecture?

--yes: 16%
--no: 84%

4. Which one of the following best describes your current anticipated career path?

--traditional architecture career: 81%
--alternative architecture career: 8%
--allied field: 9%
--non-architecture career: 2%

5. How does your current career outlook compare with your expectations when you first embarked on your study of architecture?

(Better than expected)
--professional satisfaction with work: 57%
--type of work you're doing: 48%
--hours worked: 31%
--compensation: 26%
--indicated one or more: 74%
--no answer: 26%

(Worse than expected)
--professional satisfaction with work: 20%
--type of work you're doing: 24%
--hours worked: 26%
--compensation: 44%
--indicated one or more: 63%
--no answer: 26%

6. Do you intend to get licensed/registered as an architect?

--yes: 77%
--no: 6%
--I am already licensed/registered: 17%

6a. If no, why not?

--not worth the time or effort: 42%
--I do not plan to seek a position that requires licensure: 35%
--exam is too expensive: 34%
--current position does not require licensure: 27%
--annual license renewal fees are too expensive: 21%
--not encouraged by my firm: 11%
--other: 40%
--indicated one or more: 98%

7. At this point in your career, have you sought (successfully or not) your first professional architecture job?

--yes: 94%
--no: 5%

7a. If yes, how important was each of these factors in choosing where to seek your first professional architecture job?

(Rated 3 or 4 on 0 to 4 scale)
--level of responsibilities: 73%
--location: 69%
--reputation of firm: 60%
--compensation: 56%
--practice emphasis/specialty: 55%
--firm's commitment to interns: 50%
--size of firm: 47%
--personal/family considerations: 47%
--fringe benefits: 43%
--principals: 42%
--indicated one or more: 97%

8. Have you left any previous professional architecture job(s)?

--yes: 69%
--no: 31%

8a. If yes, please rank in order (1 - 2 - 3, with 1 being the most important) your three most important reasons for leaving that previous job.

(Ranked #1)
--moved from the area: 14%
--professional advancement: 13%
--I was laid off: 8%
--wanted a change in practice focus: 7%
--more respect for skills and knowledge: 7%
--better pay/benefits: 7%
--improved quality of life: 6%
--chance to do more design: 6%
--to complete NCARB's IDP or my state's intern training requirements: 2%
--chance to do more management: 1%
--better hours: 1%
--I wanted to leave the profession of architecture: 0%
--other: 8%
--indicated one or more: 79%

Current Employment

9. In what type of work are you currently engaged (if any)?

--professional architecture job: 82%
--architecture-related job: 10%
--unrelated field or other profession: 2%
--not currently employed: 5%

9a. If you did NOT answer "professional architecture job" in Q#9, what are your main reasons for not working in a professional architecture job?

--better salary/benefits/ advancement: 32%
--better respect for skills and knowledge: 23%
--currently searching, have not yet found a professional architecture job: 19%
--personal or family circumstances: 14%
--path to licensure too long and/or difficult: 9%
--never wanted a traditional career: 8%
--other: 36%
--still a student: 13%
--other: 23%
--indicated one or more: 85%
--no answer: 15%

10. What level of commitment do you feel your current firm exhibits toward providing a quality internship experience?

--high: 29%
--moderate: 41%
--low: 16%
--none: 5%
--don't know: 1%
--does not apply: 5%
--no answer: 3%

11. What level of monetary support (if any) does your current firm provide to interns/young architects in each of these areas?

--professional organization dues: 51%
--continuing education costs: 44%
--ARE fees: 38%
--NCARB's IDP or state internship fees: 23%
--indicated one or more: 64%
--no answer: 36%

12. How satisfied are you with the level of mentoring provided by your current employer?

--very satisfied: 17%
--satisfied: 32%
--neither satisfied nor dissatisfied: 25%
--dissatisfied: 10%
--very dissatisfied: 3%
--my employer provides no mentoring opportunities: 5%
--not interested in being mentored: 3%
--no answer: 4%

13a. What incentives (if any) does your firm offer to interns who become registered?

--salary increases: 36%
--change in title: 35%
--change in job responsibilities: 23%
--bonus upon completion of the exams: 9%
--indicated one or more: 50%

13b. For each offered, how motivating do you feel that incentive is?

(Rated 3 or 4 on 0 to 4 scale)
--salary increases: 29%
--change in title: 21%
--change in job responsibilities: 18%
--bonus upon completion of the exams: 6%
--indicated one or more: 39%

14. Which of these statements (if any) are true about your current firm's support for those taking the ARE?

--firm gives paid time off to take the ARE: 33%
--firm maintains a library of ARE study materials: 33%
--firm pays ARE fees: 30%
--employee must use vacation time to take the ARE: 20%
--employee must take time off with no pay to take the ARE: 11%
--firm organizes ARE study groups: 6%
--don't know: 18%
--none of these: 9%

15. Please rank in order (1 - 2 - 3, with 1 being the most important) the three most important benefits a firm could offer you (aside from pay).

--salary increase with passing the ARE: 31%
--mentoring: 15%
--ARE fees: 14%
--professional organization dues: 6%
--NCARB IDP fees: 4%
--paid time off for ARE: 3%
--continuing education costs: 3%
--indicated one or more: 78%
--no answer: 22%

Internship

16. What is your status regarding NCARB's IDP?

--I have completed IDP: 29%
--I am currently enrolled in IDP: 48%
--I am not currently enrolled in IDP because state doesn't require it: 5%
--I am not currently enrolled in IDP by choice: 16%

16a. If you are not currently enrolled in IDP, do you plan to enroll at some time in the future?

--yes: 52%
--no: 45%

16a. If yes [plan to enroll], why have you not yet enrolled?

--haven't done the paperwork yet: 59%
--cannot afford the application fee at present: 33%
--other: 32%
--still in school: 6%
--other: 26%
--indicated one or more: 99%

17a. If you indicated in Q#16 that you have completed IDP, in what month and year did you complete IDP?

--2005: 13%
--2004: 17%
--2003: 12%
--2002: 9%
--2001: 10%
--2000: 9%
--1995 - 1999: 17%
--1990 - 1994: 3%
--before 1990: 3%
--mean: 2001
--median: 2002
--no answer: 7%

17b. If you indicated in Q#16 that you have completed IDP, how long did it take to actually complete it -- from your first internship job to completion?

--8 years or more: 8%
--7 years: 4%
--6 years: 8%
--5 years: 17%
--4 years: 26%
--3 years: 24%
--less than 3 years: 11%
--mean: 4.8
--median: 5
--no answer: 2%

17c. If you indicated in Q#16 that you have completed IDP, were you able to complete all requirements in NCARB's 16 IDP Training Areas while staying with one firm?

--yes: 45%
--no: 53%
--no answer: 2%

18a. If you indicated in Q#16 that you are currently enrolled in IDP (but have not completed it), how long do you expect it to take from your first internship job to completion?

--8 years or more: 6%
--7 years: 3%
--6 years: 5%
--5 years: 14%
--4 years: 22%
--3 years: 26%
--less than 3 years: 19%
--mean: 4.5
--median: 4
--no answer: 4%

18b. If you indicated in Q#16 that you are currently enrolled in IDP (but have not completed it), do you expect to be able to complete all requirements in NCARB's 16 IDP Training Areas while staying with one firm?

--yes: 51%
--no: 45%

Architect Registration Exam

19. Which option best matches your current status regarding the ARE?

--I do not plan to take the ARE: 4%
--I have not yet taken any divisions of the ARE: 63%
--I have taken some divisions of the ARE: 13%
--I have taken all divisions of the ARE: 20%

19a. If you indicated in Q#19 that you do not plan to take the ARE or have not yet taken any divisions, please rank in order (1 - 2 - 3, with 1 being most important) your three main reasons for not taking the ARE.

--not yet eligible: 31%
--no time to prepare: 5%
--cost: 4%
--not required for career or job: 3%
--paperwork and/or scheduling hassles: 3%
--difficulty: 1%
--other: 3%
--indicated one or more: 50%
--no answer: 50%

19b. If you indicated in Q#19 that you have taken or plan to taken the ARE, please rank in order (1 - 2 - 3, with 1 being most important) your three main motivations for taking the ARE.

--personal goal and fulfillment: 46%
--career enhancement: 14%
--IDP completion and eligibility: 3%
--competitive advantage in my firm: 2%
--firm pressure: 1%
--competitive advantage in a down economy: 1%
--parental pressure: 0%
--peer pressure: 0%
--other: 1%
--indicated one or more: 68%
--no answer: 33%

20. At this time, how many divisions of the ARE have you successfully completed (if any)?

--all: 18%
--some: 14%
--none, but have taken some: 2%
--none (have taken none): 60%
--no answer: 6%

21a. If you indicated in Q#20 that you have completed all divisions of the ARE, in what month and year did you complete the ARE?

--2005: 6%
--2004: 15%
--2003: 16%
--2002: 14%
--2001: 13%
--2000: 10%
--1995 - 1999: 8%
--before 1995: 14%
--mean: 2000
--median: 2002

21b. If you indicated in Q#20 that you have completed all divisions of the ARE, how long did it take you from first exam to last?

--5 years or more: 8%
--3 to 4 years: 14%
--1 to 2 years: 31%
--6 months to 1 year: 29%
--less than 6 months: 17%
--mean: 1.9
--median: 1.2

22a. If you indicated in Q#20 that you have completed some but not all divisions of the ARE, how long do you expect it will take from first exam to last?

--5 years or more: 19%
--3 to 4 years: 21%
--1 to 2 years: 35%
--6 months to 1 year: 16%
--less than 6 months: 4%
--mean: 2.8
--median: 2.6

23. How do you rate the difficulty of the ARE?

--+2 - too hard: 8%
--+1: 38%
-- 0: 42%
---1: 8%
---2 - too easy: 2%
--mean: 0.4

Opinions about architecture professional preparation

24a. Do you feel that architecture education today adequately prepares candidates for IDP (internship)?

--yes: 43%
--no: 53%

24b. Do you feel that architecture education today adequately prepares candidates for the ARE?

--yes: 24%
--no: 71%

24c. Do you feel that architecture internship today adequately prepares candidates for the ARE?

--yes: 55%
--no: 39%

25. Do you believe that successfully completing all requirements for licensure (education, internship, and passing the ARE) indicates that a candidate is prepared for independent practice?

--yes: 35%
--no: 62%

26. If you were allowed to take the ARE upon graduation or concurrent with a formal internship experience, would you?

--yes: 82%
--no: 16%

About You

27. In what state do you currently live?

--New England: 6%
--Middle Atlantic: 14%
--East North Central: 16%
--West North Central: 8%
--South Atlantic: 19%
--East South Central: 4%
--West South Central: 11%
--Mountain: 7%
--Pacific: 14%
--other: 2%

28. Age?

--55 - 64: 2%
--45 - 54: 6%
--40 - 44: 7%
--35 - 39: 13%
--30 - 34: 24%
--25 - 29: 33%
--18 - 24: 13%
--mean: 32.4
--median: 31

29. Gender?

--male: 61%
--female: 38%

30. Racial/ethnic background?

--White: 77%
--Asian: 9%
--Hispanic or Latino: 7%
--Black or African American: 4%
--American Indian or Alaskan Native: 1%
--Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0%
--indicated one or more: 98%

List(s) on which respondents were recorded.

--AIA: 42%
--NCARB: 47%
--ArchVoices: 22%