by: Carolyn Sponza AIA LEED AP
Event: Mentor Match: Burning Questions
Location: Trespa Design Centre, 03.24.09
Mentors: Marc Clemenceau Bailly, AIA — Gage/Clemenceau Architects; Sunil Bald — Studio SUMO; Brandon Cook — Helpern Architects; Jeremy Edmunds, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP; Nancy Goshow, AIA — Goshow Architects; Kathy Kleiver — H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture; Syed Mahmood — AEG; Kristen Richards — ArchNewsNow, OCULUS; Jessica Sheridan, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP — Helpern Architects
Organizer: AIANY Emerging New York Architects Committee (ENYA)
Sponsor: Trespa
During times of intense change, young architects often have career questions not easily answered by those in their inner circle. The Mentor Match: Burning Questions event was developed to provide insight on these questions from both a peer network and a team of established professionals. Small groups of five to 10 interns and architects met with experienced professionals for an hour-long discussion on topics ranging from pursuing alternate design-related careers to returning to graduate school. Those interested in portfolio and resume review discussed their work; a dozen young professionals met to discuss first steps involved in starting a firm.
In this turbulent economy, mentoring has assumed an increased level of importance. Young architects are forced to either confront career change as a result of layoffs or firm restructuring. Senior practitioners have a vested interest in keeping young architects engaged in the profession to prevent the generational attrition of previous recessions, which resulted in long-term gaps in the workforce.
Through the Emerging NY Architects Committee, AIANY offers two mentoring events targeted towards young architects each year. These events are intended to complement the Chapter’s Mentor Match initiative, a structured program that pairs interns and architects in more traditional mentoring relationship. Those interested in participating in the program should e-mail mentoring@aiany.org for more information.
Carolyn Sponza, AIA, LEED AP, is an architect with Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners.