Two Auburn alumni have recently hit milestones in their architectural careers and joined the elite class of professional architects.
Jelani Ingram and Juan Pace, both 1999 graduates with degrees in architecture, passed the Architect Registration Examination this summer.
"It's definitely an experience," Pace said. "You really have to focus on time management to pass this exam, and it is really hard."
Passing the exam is part of a 10-year journey that began at Auburn.
"We had some really good architecture professors at Auburn," Ingram said. "They really helped us become the architects that we are today."
Architects must possess a professional degree in a pertinent field of architecture, as well as complete an Intern Development Program before being able to take the exam.
The IDP can take several years to complete and helps the architect gain in-depth knowledge of the planning, design and oversight of constructing various projects.
Ingram and Pace said one's employer after graduation is a major factor in achieving success on the exam.
"Having an employer who understands what it takes to become a registered architect and will work with you to do that is important," Ingram said.
Both men agreed their past experiences working in the private sector and current employment with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prepared them for the exam.
According to the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, which is responsible for writing the exam and issuing the licenses, the exam consists of more than 500 multiple-choice questions and 11 questions that require detailed, written responses.
"It tests you, not only academically, but also on your experience," Ingram said. "Depending on how much experience you have in the field and actually practicing, that will go a long way in terms of how well you do on the test. They really go out of their way to make sure that you have fulfilled certain key requirements that it takes to be an architect."
The test is intended to be rigorous, and each section tests the examinees' knowledge of various aspects within the discipline.
"There are seven parts to the entire ARE test," Pace said. "They look at how well you understand the general aspect of construction, such as the electrical portion, mechanical portion, structural portion and, of course, architectural portion. They also look at how well you can program a project and graphically express, on paper, what you want the contractor to do."
Confident from their exam success, both men are eager to take their careers to the next level.
"I would possibly like to become a developer as well as build and design some of my own projects," Ingram said. "I think it's every architect's dream to see a building of theirs go up."
Pace said all of his experiences have led him to want to mentor children and potential architects who are also minorities.
He said he believes that being informed and aware of opportunities is key to helping others achieve their goals.
"I'm from a small town, and I didn't know much about architecture when I was a kid, but I knew that I wanted to be one," Pace said.
Ingram and Pace are currently employed with the Huntsville Center's Engineering Directorate's Architectural Branch.
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