Every worthwhile project begins with a design necessary to guide progress to completion. That principle is true whether the structure in question is a brick and mortar building or a long-term, professional career. That is why Emerging Professionals programs, like the one employed by WT Group, can be critically important in helping promising, young architectural and design practitioners launch successful careers.
Although AIA no longer uses the Emerging Professionals I, II & III titles, WT Group believes it perfectly describes the increasing responsibilities to becoming an Architect. The Emerging Professionals position plays a key role in design and architectural services across a range of different client projects. It is also a critical component in building the company’s own bench strength and talent base by delivering complex solutions for a rapidly growing, multi-state client base.
The Emerging Professionals position is a three-tiered path of increasing challenges and responsibilities that participants traverse on their journeys to full licensure as architectural and design professionals:
Emerging Professional I – At this first stage, a team member develops designs of others on routine and limited architectural assignments, essentially developing plans and technical solutions under the direct supervision of a licensed architect.
Emerging Professional II – At this level, a team member will continue to work from the designs of others on limited routine architectural assignments under direct supervision but will also participate in a variety of higher-level assignments for only training/development purposes.
Emerging Professional III – At the final tier of the program, a team member will work under limited supervision of a licensed professional, and will be coordinating for a project’s technical design while providing planning/design/coordination consultation on larger projects. They are able to review and approve conceptual designs.
More than an internship, the Emerging Professionals position is an opportunity for newly minted architectural and design practitioners to develop skills and knowledge in an environment aimed at fostering confidence and opportunity.
Meet WT Group’s Emerging Professionals
Two current WT Group Emerging Professionals are Lesslie Garcia and Jerry Clark. As current participants, we asked their thoughts about the position and what it will ultimately mean to their careers:
What do you like most about your profession so far?
LG: What I highly enjoy about my role as an Emerging Professional is the great amount of input I am able to offer on projects from the beginning, input that can range from picking colors and materials to shifting around walls. Our Design and Program Management team encourages us to share our opinions and suggestions. That makes a big difference when starting off as an architect because it helps create a more open environment where we can be comfortable expressing our ideas without the fear of being wrong.
JC: Although I am in the beginning stages of my career, I play a critical role in my team’s success. They rely on me to organize, communicate, and produce quality drawings in a timely manner so we can meet our deadlines. And the responsibility has given me a sense of autonomy in the workplace and is constantly putting me in a position to grow. What I like most is learning daily from individuals who know more than me. I use their wealth of knowledge to increase my own knowledge, which in turn, makes me better day in and day out.
What type of projects are you working on?
LG: In my short time here, I’ve grown a lot by helping in various projects at different stages, from schematic design, prototypes, site analysis, construction documents, and most recently visual design. Most of these have been retail clients, such as RGI, Daiso, Jet Brite, Road Ranger and Rise Dispensaries. I also assisted on 40 DuPage, a multi-family residential project.
JC: I’ve worked on a variety of commercial buildings, such as retail stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and travel centers. The variety of projects has exposed me to new challenges each time, which creates opportunities for me to learn new things.
How will the Emerging Professionals program be a steppingstone in your career?
LG: Working as an Emerging Professional has helped me grow. It has allowed me to connect with many others in this industry and other roles related to architecture. By working with project managers and architects, we get to be part of many different phases of a project, and we are able to see our future potential through the impact of the work they do.
JC: I see my current position as a steppingstone toward a position of leadership. Whether I remain in the architectural industry or not, I am using my current position to master both my technical and my soft skills. Eventually, the time will come when I am confident enough in my skills that I can lead a successful team, no matter the industry.
The WT Group provides clients with a single-source engineering solution to help maintain the integrity of all projects from start to finish. With over 50 years of experience, WT Group’s highly skilled engineering, design and consulting teams ensure consistency, clarity, and accuracy in the most cost and time-efficient manner.
