Mentors, missed goalposts, and a winding path through the profession, this one has all the ingredients of a classic Midweek Meander reflection on how we become who we are as designers.

But first, here's how it started.

Earlier this month, the subject title of a Monday Minute newsletter announced, “Architecture is no longer considered a ‘professional degree’ in the U.S.”

The crux of the story is that loans available to architecture students, along with other careers such as nursing and accounting, will be reduced under the terms of President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill.

The email prompted the following reply from Geoffrey M. Perkins, CPBD, GMB, the CEO of Perkins Construction Company in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

In addition to leading a successful construction company, Geoff dedicates his time to improving the local building industry through various leadership roles.

He serves on the City of Ann Arbor Construction Code Advisory Board, where he provides valuable insights to enhance local construction codes and standards.

Geoff also chairs a specialized Task Force focused on addressing key issues within the Ann Arbor Building and Planning Departments, working to streamline processes and improve efficiency for the community.

Additionally, he is an active member of the Ann Arbor Design Review Board, contributing his expertise to ensure thoughtful and sustainable design in local projects.

I shared my thoughts with Geoff on his email, knowing he’d likely have a sharper perspective—something I always value.

As expected, Geoff offered valuable insights and reminded me of one of the AIBD’s greatest strengths.

I received the following personal story, which I've edited because even Geoff admitted, "(WARNING: This got longggg.)"

Drafting class filled three years of high school, and the Trade & Industrial Co‑op program added practical lessons: how to find a job, keep it, show up on time, dress the part, and work well with others while aiming for promotion. A student would spend an hour in class, then head out early to work in a trade‑related job.

When a plumbing job disappeared the summer before senior year, the next stop became an architecture firm where years of drafting practice at school and at home finally turned into a real paycheck as a “baby draftsman.”

The firm stayed in the picture even during two years in the Navy, welcoming a returning drafter back into the room every time leave brought him home. Back then in Michigan, seven years of experience could qualify someone for the architectural exams; college helped but was not required, which mattered a lot when family responsibilities made tuition out of reach.

The plan was to qualify by apprenticeship, a path already proven by several colleagues who had either completed or started their exams. But just before those seven years were fulfilled, exam eligibility shifted toward mandatory degrees—first any college degree, then a degree in architecture, and eventually a master’s.

With a family to support, the response was to double down on work: taking on site and landscape plans, rezonings, approvals, then later leading design teams that included licensed architects, all without the title.

Feeling pigeonholed in mostly residential development work, a move to a smaller, design‑driven Ann Arbor firm opened new doors.

The firm was steeped in architectural heritage and closely linked to the University of Michigan’s architecture program, including connections to figures like Emil Lorch and George Grant Elmslie, both influential in the shaping of modern American architecture. That environment blended production drafting expertise with exposure to award‑winning design, a deep office library, and a culture that valued both formal education and hands‑on mastery.

Along the way, mentors—including a dean of architecture who still believed in apprenticeship as a legitimate path—modeled a view of the profession that valued competence as much as credentials. The work spanned planning, detailing, presentations, construction coordination, and eventually even running a general contracting business.

The formal title “architect” never came, by choice and by regulation, but the responsibilities mirrored the role in nearly every respect.

"...the responsibilities mirrored the role in nearly every respect." I felt like that was worth repeating.

Geoff’s journey raises an important question for anyone designing where people live: how can the profession recognize knowledge earned in the field, not just in the classroom?

And how can the "rules of entry" better reflect the skills our clients and communities truly need?

Our answer is the Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD)™.

While educational credits can count toward part of the requirement, experience alone is enough to qualify for the CPBD exam—a slightly different approach than the rest of our industry.

Through the CPBD program, we recognize and validate the knowledge gained from fieldwork. This ensures we have a diverse range of professionals with practical expertise and theoretical knowledge.

But it's not just about recognizing experience; it's also about fostering continuous learning. The CPBD program requires ongoing professional development to maintain certification, keeping our members current on best practices and new developments.

Ultimately, our goal is to elevate the profession's standards and provide clients with the highest quality of service.

Historically, over two-thirds of AIBD professional members achieved certification, a testament to their dedication. In recent years, however, that figure has dropped to just one-third.

This downward trend poses a serious challenge to our collective identity and professional standing.

If we hope to gain widespread recognition as a true profession, regardless of government designations, this trend must be reversed.

As professionals, we should actively encourage and pursue this marker of excellence, not just for individual benefit, but to elevate the reputation and integrity of our field.

Geoff is proactively spreading the word by using the acronym after his name and displaying his certification mark prominently for maximum visibility.

For example, he has featured it on his LinkedIn profile (below), ensuring his professional network, colleagues, and potential recruiters can see his achievement.

Clicking the certification mark (in this email and in his profile) opens a personalized page detailing the certification's scope, the accomplishments that earned it, and the requirements for recertification.

If Geoff’s story sounds even a little like your own, now is the time to lean into it.

Whether you are already a CPBD or working toward it, take one concrete step in the coming year.

CPBDs, update your email signature, website, and LinkedIn profile to highlight the credential and link to your personalized information page so others can see exactly what it represents. Contact certification@AIBD.org for assistance (Yahoo email accounts require extra steps).

Candidates, log in to the exam platform at AIBD.org/testlogin and check out the practice test; a half-scale version of the real thing.

If you have not yet started the process, commit today to exploring your eligibility and timeline for becoming certified. You can begin the application process today for free and only pay when you're ready to submit.

Visit AIBD.org/certification to map your experience and remember to share your goal with your peers so they can cheer you on!

Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with growth, success, and new opportunities to elevate your profession—let’s make 2026 a year to remember!