One of the three parts of the YAF mission is Mentorship. For years, the profession has struggled with the understanding that mentoring is important, but how do we make good mentors, encourage seasoned practictioners to give their time, make matches that will sustain over time...the list goes on. Finding a counselor who can help to guide you through your professional and personal growth is an essential for any aspiring architect. Most people want to connect with someone local, but technology also enables us to have mentors in other states, even other countries. So, how can the YAF provide support for young architects who are seeking ADVICE and COUNSEL?
Comments (5)
While both AIA components and firms can provide mentoring, young architects I’ve asked about this feel that regular one-on-one mentoring within one’s own firm works well. The AIA should encourage firms to actively mentor young architects and provide support in teaching them how to develop mentoring programs.
Posted by Emily Grandstaff-Rice, AIA | December 12, 2006 9:56 AM
Posted on December 12, 2006 09:56
I believe the profession has failed to make construction knowledge a critical part of the IDP. The general lack of building and construction knowledge by interns and young architects is deplorable, and also one key reason that architects are unable to take a leadership role in the built environment. My blog at http://youngarchitectsbuild.blogspot.com/ continues the discussion.
Posted by David Gunderson, AIA | January 27, 2007 7:44 PM
Posted on January 27, 2007 19:44
Many people when posed with the question of 'why become an architect?' respond with heart warming answers about learning building at the foot of their grandparent or parent, childhood dreams of drawing some great building, etc. Has anyone ever come across and external answer, one that is not self serving and focuses on what it truely means to be an architect? If you have what was the response, I'd love to know.
Posted by Matthew C Taylor | September 21, 2007 12:43 AM
Posted on September 21, 2007 00:43
No one in my family was into building, although many of them are the "handy" sort. European cities made me want to become an architect. I went for the first time in 1994, which for a suburban girl of 15 was really something.
I loved that for thousands of years, people walked into buildings, just trusting in a number of things: One, it would stay up while they were inside, Two, it would be honest about its layout and function, Three, it would fit a purpose that made sense in their lives, Four, it would contribute tangibly AND intangibly to their sense of beauty and of being, etc.
How fragile people seemed to me suddenly, and vulnerable...they needed protection, and I wanted to be that "Catcher in the Rye".
Not sure if that's self-serving or not, just an undeniable call to duty for me.
Posted by Crystal Nanney | January 18, 2008 9:20 AM
Posted on January 18, 2008 09:20
Also, mentoring within the firm is just the bees knees except that there are certain aspects of professional growth that are inappropriate for discussion within the office, let alone with your boss.
I enjoy a supplemental mentorship with a well-established architect who I really connected with at an AIA convention. I highly recommend not limiting yourself to one mentor, but to find two or more people who have what you want, and then do what they do.
Posted by Crystal Nanney | January 18, 2008 9:23 AM
Posted on January 18, 2008 09:23