In September 2022, ARCHCareersGuide.com launched the publication, Careers in Architecture and Beyond. It provides insight to the myriad of career paths one can pursue with a degree in architecture. Aside from the profiles was an appendix full of resources, an article on career designing, and a listing of professional associations.
To better share the resources, below is the list of professional associations from the publication. Do enjoy! Also, the link below shares many of the same. Finally, if you know of others to include, please share with us.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Professional associations are a tremendous source of helpful resources on the careers / profession they represent; many will provide lists of schools with programs in their field, training, requirements, and other related information. Listed below are the collateral organizations that represent the profession of architecture along with many others. If you do not see a profession represented, simply do an internet search on that profession and association.
Professional Associations (Collateral)
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture – www.acsa-arch.org/
American Institute of Architects – www.aia.org/career-center
American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) – aias.org/
National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) – www.naab.org
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards – www.ncarb.org/
Education
Study Architecture – studyarchitecture.com/
Experience
Architectural Experience Program (AXP) – www.ncarb.org/gain-axp-experience
Examination
Architect Registration Examination (ARE) – www.ncarb.org/pass-are
CAREER CATEGORIES
ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE
National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) has as its mission the building of a strong national organization, strong chapters, and strong members for the purpose of minimizing the effect of racism in our profession. www.noma.net
Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) is a vibrant professional organization of architects and industry related partners. www.sara-national.org
Society for Design Administrators has been providing accredited education, best management practices, and training on professional standards to help design firm personnel grow professionally. www.sdanational.org/
Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) is a diverse community of marketing and business development professionals working together to move the A/E/C industries forward. www.smps.org
OUTSIDE ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE
Corporation and institutions
The Association of University Architects is special group of architectural professionals focused on the development and enhancement of our university campuses. University architects plan and carefully build and renovate facilities for current needs. www.theaua.org/
Government and Public Agencies
Public Architects Committee – AIA promotes excellence in public architecture and enhances the role of the public architect as an essential element in the planning, design, construction, and management of public facilities. network.aia.org/publicarchitectscommittee
Education and Research
The Architectural Research Centers Consortium (ARCC) is an international association of architectural research centers committed to the expansion of the research culture and a supporting infrastructure in architecture and related design disciplines. www.arcc-arch.org
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture – www.acsa-arch.org
BEYOND ARCHITECTURE
Related Professional
The American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of the art, science and profession of architectural illustration. www.asai.org
The American Society of Golf Course Architects is composed of leading golf course designers actively involved in the design of new courses and the renovation of older courses. www.asgca.org
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is a community of people – designers, industry representatives, educators, and students – committed to interior design. www.asid.org
The American Society of Landscape Architects is the national professional association representing landscape architects. www.asla.org
The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) is a consortium of university-based programs offering credentials in urban and regional planning. www.acsp.org
The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is committed to enhancing the quality of life through excellence in interior design and advancing interior design through knowledge. www.iida.org
The Heritage Documentation Programs (HDP), part of the National Park Service, administers HABS (Historic American Buildings Survey), the federal government’s oldest preservation program, and companion programs HAER (Historic American Engineering Record), HALS (Historic American Landscapes Survey), and CRGIS (Cultural Resources Geographic Information Systems). www.nps.gov/hdp/
The National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE) encourages and assists in the development and improvement of historic preservation education programs and endeavors in the United States and elsewhere. www.ncpe.us
The American Planning Association (APA) brings together thousands of people—practicing planners, citizens, elected officials—committed to making great communities happen. www.planning.org
Society of Architectural Historians promotes the study, interpretation and conservation of architecture, design, landscapes and urbanism worldwide for the benefit of all. www.sah.org
Construction
American Council for Construction Education is a leading global advocate of high-quality construction education programs, and to promote, support, and accredit quality construction education programs. www.acce-hq.org
The mission of the Architecture + Construction Alliance is foster collaboration among schools that are committed to fostering interdisciplinary educational and research efforts between the fields of architecture and construction. www.aplusca.org/
The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) promotes professionalism and excellence in the management of the construction process. www.cmaanet.org
The Construction Specifications Institute advances building information management and education of project teams to improve facility performance. www.csiresources.org
Design Build Institute of America pushes the boundaries of project design and construction, providing advocacy and support to further the cause, and attracting professionals like you to harness change, we inspire innovative design-build thinking and create long-lasting industry impact. dbia.org/
National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is dedicated to enhancing the success of women in the construction industry by building educations, careers, futures, and lives. www.nawic.org
ART AND DESIGN
American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) is the place design professionals turn to first to exchange ideas and information, participate in critical analysis and research, and advance education and ethical practice. www.aiga.org
International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD) is an international, non-profit, professional organization dedicated to advancing, improving and supporting the profession of furniture design and its positive impact in the marketplace. isfd.org
Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) promotes the practice of industrial design through education, information, community, and advocacy. www.idsa.org
International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) creates a better world through leadership and excellence in lighting design. www.iald.org
Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) is an association of people who create content-rich, emotionally compelling, experiential spaces for a wide range of environments. www.segd.org
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Entrepreneurs’ Organization: Entrepreneurs’ Organization is a high-quality support network of 14,000+ like-minded leaders across 61 countries. We help entrepreneurs achieve their full potential through the power of life-enhancing connections, shared experiences, and collaborative learning. www.eonetwork.org/
The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) is a nonprofit organization devoted to entrepreneurs in all industries, at all stages, from incubation, throughout the entrepreneurial lifecycle. tie.org/
SOCIAL IMPACT DESIGN
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engage more than 50,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. www.americorps.gov
Association for Community Design (ACD) is a network of individuals, organizations, and institutions committed to increasing the capacity of planning and design professions to better serve communities. www.communitydesign.org
Design Corps creates positive change in traditionally underserved communities by using design, advocacy, and education to help them shape their environment and address their social, economic, and environmental challenges. www.designcorps.org
Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps has shared with the world America’s most precious resource—its people. Collaborating with local community members, volunteers serve in 72 countries around the world in areas like education, youth outreach and community development, the environment, and information technology. www.peacecorps.gov
Public Architecture is a key founder in the contemporary social impact design movement. We offer a venue where architects and designers can work for the public good. www.publicarchitecture.org
The Enterprise Rose Fellowship partners emerging architectural designers and socially-engaged arts and cultural practitioners with local community development organizations to facilitate an inclusive approach to development that results in green, sustainable, and affordable communities. www.enterprisecommunity.org/solutions-and-innovation/rose-fellowship
Social Economic Environmental Design (SEED)® is a principle-based network of individuals and organizations dedicated to building and supporting a culture of civic responsibility and engagement in the built environment and the public realm. seednetwork.org/
USER EXPERIENCE (UX) DESIGN
User Experience Professional Association (UXPA): supports people who research, design, and evaluate the user experience (UX) of products and services. uxpa.org/
Interactive Design Association: Incorporated in 2005, IxDA addresses the needs of the emergent field of interaction design. ixda.org/
Engineering and Technical
The mission of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is to generate, disseminate, and promote the knowledge and practical applications of acoustics. acousticalsociety.org
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) stands at the forefront of a profession that plans, designs, constructs, and operates society’s economic and social engine – the built environment – while protecting and restoring the natural environment. www.asce.org
Association for Computer-Aided Design in Architecture is an international network of digital design researchers and professionals. www.acadia.org
The International Masonry Institute (IMI) is a strategic alliance between the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers and the contractors who employ those meMbers. Our renowned education, technical support, research, and training support the architecture, engineering, and construction community throughout the project lifecycle, from new construction to renovation and restoration projects. imiweb.org
The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) stands today as the only national organization committed to addressing the professional concerns of licensed PEs across all disciplines. www.nspe.org
Society of Building Science Educators (SBSE) is an association of university educators in architecture and related disciplines who support excellence in the teaching of environmental science and building technologies. www.sbse.org
ADDITIONAL SITES DEDICATED TO ARCHITECTURE
The Association of Architecture Organizations (AAO) is an international member-based network that connects the many organizations around the world dedicated to enhancing public dialogue about architecture and design. www.aaonetwork.org
The ACE (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) Mentor Program stands for mentoring high school students and inspiring them to pursue careers in design and construction. www.acementor.org
The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) is dedicated to advancing public interest and education in architecture and related design. www.architecture.org
The Center for Understanding the Built Environment (CUBE) brings together educators with community partners to effect change, which will lead to a high-quality built and natural environment, one and interdependent. cube-education.org/
Great Diverse Designers Library is a collection of over 400 diverse designers from around the world. www.beyondthebuilt.com/great-diverse-designers-library
Learning by Design is a K-12 architecture and design education program dedicated to igniting the creative spark in every child. lbdma.wordpress.com/
Madame Architect is a platform celebrating women in architecture from different generations, countries, and corners of the industry. www.madamearchitect.org/
The National Building Museum transforms understanding of the history and impact of architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, and design. www.nbm.org