On Rethinking Credentials
There’s a presumption that we all need credentials to get anywhere in the world. The presumption often being that those credentials need to be written on a piece of paper, with a signature, often accompanied by a seal. What if instead we were to rethink credentials and redefine what they are, how we see them and how we attain them.
In architecture, for example, anyone literally can design a building and have it approved and built — no credentials required. In NSW Australia right now, to call out an exception, only an architect can design and have an apartment building approved, but all other building types are fair game for anyone wanting a crack at designing them. Yes, there are skills, learning and experience that will assist the process. Skills, learning and experience that will likely lead to a better design and approval. A piece of paper with a signature and a seal is not required. What credentials do we think lead to good design, to good architecture? If we ask that question instead and then answered it honestly, what possibilities might open up?
This consideration applies to many many areas and professions, not just architecture. We’ve all heard the stories of the mail room clerk rising though the ranks to become the CEO. Sure, not everyone can do that. In many cases it raises the spectre of prejudice and opportunity. Not everyone can do this because, their piece of signed and sealed paper came from the wrong place, they have the wrong chromosomes, they were born in the wrong place or culture. The point here is not so much about inclusion and opportunity, but about a consideration of what credentials are important. We should be asking what credentials do we want the people doing important work to have? What are the constructive, important and real credentials? What are our preconceptions around credentials?
Paper credentials are just a guide. Contents may vary.
If we instead consider credentials as skills, learning and experience. The ways of attaining the credentials you need expand significantly, with myriad ways to acquire skills, learning and experience. An approach allowing for a focus on finding simply the credentials you need, rather than the credentials you’re given.
When we dig further into this, we know the institutions and universities will be quaking at the idea. Their whole business model is built around credentials, credentials of the paper kind. My challenge to them would be how do they build their business model around credentials for the useful, productive, constructive, change making kind? My challenge to everyone is how do you build the credentials you need to move forward in the world? To deliver the changes you want to make in your world?
Sometimes credentials are just a pass to get in. What if we were to consider that there might be another way in?
Of course we’ll all need to get around the prejudices we face here. The prejudices of others around the “right credentials”. Our own prejudices. We could be stopped there, or we could start.
What would it look like to start?
What credentials do you need?
This post was in part inspired by Stacie Woolsey who designed her own Master of Architecture: Stacie Woolsey creates her own masters course as “viable alternative” to design education
“Whenever I was taking a portfolio around, no one asked what qualification I got or what grade I got. It was all about the work,” — Stacey Woolsey
It should always be about the work.
Michael is the founder of unmeasured, supporting architects in their practice through coaching, workshops and community.
Helping architects find their desire lines in practice.
