A free afterschool program that engages, excites and enlightens high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction through mentoring and to support their continued advancement in the industry.

1. Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

2. What is ACE?
• A free afterschool program
that engages, excites and
enlightens high school
students to pursue careers in
architecture, engineering,
and construction through
mentoring and to support
their continued
advancement in the
industry. Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering
NEED PICTURE

3. What is ACE?
• 64 affiliates, covering 40 states,
and over 200 cities.
• 2500 practicing professionals
currently mentor 8,000 students
nationwide.
• Over $14 million in scholarships
awarded since 1995.
• ACE Mentor firms have
contributed more than $10 million
worth of pro bono time.
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering
NEED PICTURE

4. National Recognition
The ACE Mentor Program of
America has been awarded
• 2010 Presidential Award for
Excellence in Science,
Mathematics and Engineering
Mentoring (PAESMEM)
• American Institute of Architects
2014 Collaborative Achievement
Award
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

5. The Need for ACE
“The design and construction industry is a
critical machine driving the American
economy. It has a bright future of growth.
Many buildings that will exist in 2030 are yet
to be built. Yet, we lack the workforce to
design and build these structures and to
rebuild our aging infrastructure.
ACE was created to prime our industry’s
workforce pump. It has an amazing track
record of proven success.”
Dr. Charles H. Thornton, Founder and
Chairman of ACE
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

6. Who are ACE Mentors?
• ACE mentors are members of
a local community in which an
ACE affiliate is located.
• Passionate about they do, they
often make significant
contributions to their
communities as role models,
trusted friends and career
advisors.
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

7. What Makes a Great ACE
Mentor?
• Knowledge, passion and
rapport.
• Someone who connects with
the students in a way that
demonstrates a sincere desire
to help, and a commitment to
make a difference.
• ACE mentors are team
players willing to dedicate up
to 30 hours of their time
during the school year. Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

8. What Will I Gain from my
Experience?
• The gratification that comes
with sharing knowledge and
wisdom with students.
• A variety of networking
opportunities.
• Opportunities to sharpen
individual presentation and
other professional skills.
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

9. What is my Firm’s
Commitment?
• Empowerment of its staff to
give time to the ACE Mentor
Program.
• A firm’s time commitment is
approximately 30 – 40 hours
each school year. Additional
time may be necessary to
organize for a mentoring
session.
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

10. What Are the Benefits to
my Company?
• Enhancement of your company image,
within the industry and also the
community.
• Networking opportunities, for both
mentors and principals.
• Connections to talented and motivated
part-time help and to potential future
employees.
• Growth of young professionals
presentation and communication skills.
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

11. What Will I Do in ACE?
A Typical Session
• Brief mentor presentations
about topic of session and/or
introduction to a particular
ACE career path.
• Hands-on activities and/or
working with students on mock
design project.
• Wrap-up – review of session’s
accomplishments, goals for
next session.
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

12. Spring 2016, NHS Recap
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

13. Spring 2016, NHS Recap
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

14. Spring 2016, Activities
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

15. Spring 2016, NHS Recap
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

16. Spring 2016, NHS Recap
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

17. Proposed Curriculum
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

18. Mentor Roles and Responsibilities
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering
Tuesday Team
Thursday Team
• 3 mentors each, one lead
• 2 hours per week Oct-May
Guest Speakers
• Short 10 minute presentation
• Hands on Activity
Field trips
• Job sites
• Office visits
• Manufacturers visits

19. ACE NATIONAL
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

20. ACE NATIONAL, CIRT Competition
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering

21. ACE NATIONAL INITIATIVES
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering
ACE Mentor’s 2 primary GOALS are to:
1. Create a large, diverse, better prepared workforce
for our industry
2. Assist and guide students as they proceed along
their pathways to opportunities related to our
industry

22. What Difference Does ACE Make?
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering
Recent Surveys of ACE Alumni
show…
• 80% of high school seniors
completing ACE enter college
intending to major in A-C-E fields.
• Alumni in their freshman and
sophomore year of college
overwhelming report ACE gave
them an edge over the peers
studying A-C-E.

23. How Do I Register for ACE?
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering
• Log onto www.acementor.org
• Click ‘Mentors’ tab at top of page
• Click ‘Registration’
• Complete Registration and Background Check

24. ACE Mentor Program of the Upstate SC
110 W. North Street, Ste. 300
Greenville, SC 29601
www.acementor.org/upstate-sc
UpstateSC@acementor.org
Questions?
Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction and Engineering
Thank you!

25. ACE Mentor Program of the Upstate SC
110 W. North Street, Ste. 300
Greenville, SC 29601
www.acementor.org/upstate-sc
The ACE Mentor Program of the Upstate
would like to THANK our founding sponsors