Career StagesIntern Development Program

The AIA recognizes important trends in practice and the importance of staff development and retention. Support of emerging professionals is key to the success of every firm.

The AIA has developed this site as a resource for firms who wish to use the EPC to create, enhance or rejuvenate their in-house education programs.  Firm Educators should take responsibility for supplying information and resources to interns on the licensure process, including IDP. Begin by orienting those in your firm, both interns and seasoned professionals, about the EPC. Distribute information sheets to those in your office who need it most. Finally, contact your IDP State Coordinator for assistance in providing programs and tools for the interns in your firm.

If you are interested in sharing the EPC with other members in your firm, consider hosting a lunch time session to tell them all about it. To arrange for someone to come and speak at your firm, contact idp@aia.org.

Download flyers to learn more about the program benefits:

• Interns and the EPC
• ARE Candidates and the EPC
• Firm Educators and the EPC
• IDP Supervisors and Mentors and the EPC
• EPC Checklist for IDP Supervisors and Mentors

Learn how architects can use the EPC for continuing education credit.

Read about a firm who is using the EPC in their in-house education programs:
Providing EPC Seminars in Your Firm: An Emerging Professional's Companion Case Study
Contributed by James B. Atkins, FAIA, principal, HKS Architects

Other best practices regarding supporting interns can be found in AIA Best Practices: Chapter 09 Human Resources. If you would like to contribute your firm's EPC best practice, email idp@aia.org.

The Emerging Professional's Companion: Strategies in Intern Development
This highly interactive workshop held at the 2005 AIA Convention provided effective ways to support interns in a firm using the new EPC. Recent winners of the IDP Outstanding Firm Award presented their programs, and participants joined in real-time exercises led by Jean Valence, FSMPS, author of the Architect's Essentials of Professional Development. Download the 2005 AIA Convention EPC Workshop Proceedings.

Return to the EPC Resource Center.

Get started with the Emerging Professional's Companion today!