Fifteen years ago, a co-worker asked me if I would be willing to be a mentor in his place when he had commitments that prevented him from continuing to participate. Not having any previous experience as a mentor, I did not know what to expect. Going to my first day as a mentor, I worked with a group of Architects, Contractors and Engineers that works with inner-city high school students to develop a project from a concept to building a massing model to doing a presentation of the project at the end of a fifteen week program.
On the first day that I participated included seeing students that did not seem to want to be there, sitting with their arms crossed while leaning back somewhat slumped in their chairs and seemingly not paying attention to what the mentors were sharing. But then, I observed a transformation. Those same students that previously did not seem interested in participating become engaged in the project, showing excitement and taking ownership in the project.
The mentoring organization I am involved with is called ACE Mentor Program. ACE stands for Architecture, Construction and Engineering. The mentors are made up primarily of a group of Architects, Contractors, and Engineers that work together to give students a taste of what the construction industry is about and see if there is an aspect of the construction industry that sparks an interest in them. The mentors work with the students over a course of fifteen 2 hour sessions. Mentors in each trade represented will share aspects of their trade to help the students learn about that trade where they will incorporate some aspect of that trade into the project they are developing. Students are exposed to architecture, interior design, structural engineering, civil engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, and construction management.
Each year, when we start a new session, we ask the students what they have an interest in, whether to become an architect or an engineer or a contractor.
Having been active with ACE for fifteen years, I have seen students that we worked with pursue higher education in architecture, construction and engineering. One student that we worked with pursued a degree in architecture and has since become an architect. That architect is now one of the mentors that I currently enjoy working with. That is a full circle of success for ACE.
About the author
Mark Felgate is the Lead Electrical Engineer for the Massachusetts and Connecticut Offices for Hallam-ICS. Mark has been in the construction industry for 32 Years, has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut, and is a LEED Accredited Professional. Mark is a Member of NFPA and is currently serving as Past President of the Hartford Section of IES. Mark also continues to volunteer as a mentor through ACE Mentor since 2001.
Read My Hallam Story
About Hallam-ICS
Hallam-ICS is an engineering and automation company that designs MEP systems for facilities and plants, engineers control and automation solutions, and ensures safety and regulatory compliance through arc flash studies, commissioning, and validation. Our offices are located in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Vermont and North Carolina and our projects take us world-wide.