RLPS Recognizes Three with Tie/Scarf Cuttings
October 10, 2023Three RLPSers recently earned professional registrations in their fields. To celebrate these accomplishments, we honored each of them with a tie or scarf cutting. Though no one is certain exactly how it began, it has become a rite of passage in our office. Firm partners cut the individual’s neckwear in celebration of their accomplishment.
Professional licensure in architecture and interior design requires additional steps beyond earning a degree. Candidates need to log significant time working in the field under supervision and pass multiple testing requirements before they can officially be called an interior designer or architect. To learn more about each field’s requirements, visit the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and the Council for Interior Design Qualification.
Ashley Sowa, IIDA is an interior designer and has been with RLPS for almost four years. She earned her Bachelor of Science, Interior Design with a Minor in Business Management from East Carolina University. When we asked Ashley what she wished she’d known before taking the NCIDQ exams, she said, “The process of studying and absorbing the information is just as important as passing. Even when I didn’t pass one of the exams on the first try, I was still proud of myself for being able to recall the information I had studied in preparation for that exam and the ability to use it within my everyday work.”
Jonathan Medash, RA has been with RLPS for five years and serves as a project architect. Jonathan earned his Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Architecture Preservation from Temple University. He advises those considering licensure to, “Know that completing the exams and getting licensed grows your knowledge base and inspires more confidence in your professional abilities.”
Tim Checchia, AIA is a project architect who has been with the firm for over eight years. Tim earned his Bachelor of Architecture from The Catholic University of America. When asked what he wished he’d known before taking the ARE exams, he responded, “Securing my architectural licensure proved challenging, given the timing in my career, juggling large projects at work and family responsibilities at home. My advice is to act promptly; delaying only complicates matters. Dedicate time to study, focusing on test-relevant material rather than solely practical knowledge. Having completed my exams, I now sense increased respect from colleagues and supervisors, reinforcing my professional confidence.”