Mentoring High School Students For Career Success

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ACE Atlanta students and mentors work together in a tower-building competition.

It's all about mentoring, and the one-on-one engagement between the professional and student.

IRvine, CA (Vocus) January 22, 2010

The ACE Mentor Program celebrates its Orange County chapter with an event at the Irvine Marriott, Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 5 p.m. As ACE grows its Southern California presence, it spreads past the Los Angeles metropolitan area where it is already a well received non-profit. ACE pairs architects, interior designers, landscape architects, mechanical, structural, electrical, environmental and civil engineers, and construction managers, with high school students to give them a taste of the profession.

“It's all about mentoring, and the one-on-one engagement between the professional and student,” says Jon Mills, Principal of LPA Inc., an architectural design firm and supporter of ACE Orange County. “As our industry struggles through the current economic downturn, there is an inevitable attrition of talented individuals from the profession. When we cycle back to a more robust economy, there will be staff voids to be filled at all levels. We need to position and prepare our students to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead.”

ACE involves professionals who volunteer their time to work with students throughout the year in hands on project experience. Participating students, who graduate from high school, receive scholarships from ACE to help fund their advanced education. Proceeds from next week’s ACE Orange County event are put toward these scholarships for local students.

“We see ACE as the perfect partner for our construction technology pathway at Estancia High School,” explains Steve Glyer, Director of Education Technology at Newport-Mesa Unified School District. “The need is there and the demographics are appropriate.”

According to Glyer, there are many factors which make the program attractive for Estancia. The combination of architecture, construction and engineering equips students for what they will find in the real world. ACE provides a competitive edge against outsourcing, with training for work often done locally.

For at-risk students, the program offers hands on project experience and an alternative to four-year universities. “The world of Stanford, Harvard, and the University of California Irvine (UCI) is not in their reality, but there are many fulfilling jobs that are … this does not mean that these students will not move forward with advanced degrees, but many jobs allow one to make an excellent income with up to two years of post secondary education,” continues Glyer. “ACE allows students to find ways to participate as active and productive members of our society.”

As the state of California continues to struggle, ACE presents districts with a no-cost solution to some of the fiscal challenges which face educational systems today. “As it should be, the students are the ultimate beneficiaries,” finishes Mills. “We need both volunteer mentors and generous financial contributions to continue the success of current programs, and foster expansion to additional schools throughout Southern California.”

To contribute to this unique partnership or attend the Jan. 27 netWORKING event, e-mail events@acementorLPA.org or visit http://www.acementor.org.

Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Time: 5 p.m. Registration and Networking; 6 p.m. Program
Location: Irvine Marriott, 18000 Von Karman Ave, Irvine, CA 92612
Cost: $75 Early Bird, by 1/22/10; $95 after 1/22/10

About ACE Mentor Program
ACE is a unique partnership among industry professionals — architects, interior designers, landscape architects, mechanical, structural, electrical, environmental and civil engineers, construction managers, college and university representatives, and other professionals from related corporations and professional organizations — who work together to attract young people to their professions. Industry professionals volunteer to become mentors to high school students in order to introduce them to the professions and encourage them to pursue studies and careers in these fields.

About Newport-Mesa Unified School District
The Newport-Mesa Unified School District is located in the second largest county in California, in terms of population. The District covers 58.83 square miles and includes the cities of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa as well as other unincorporated areas. The District began operations on July 1, 1966 serving Kindergarten through twelfth grades (K-12). Currently, there are 22 elementary schools, two intermediate schools, four high schools, one alternative education center, a Middle College High School, an Early College High School and one adult education center in the District for a total of 32 schools. The District serves more than 22,400 students.

About LPA Inc.
Founded in 1965, LPA has more than 220 employees with offices in Irvine, Roseville, and San Diego, Calif. LPA provides services in architecture, planning, interior design, engineering, landscape architecture, signage and graphics. They have more LEED certified buildings than any firm in the state and of their employees, more than 78 percent are LEED accredited professionals. With extensive experience in public and private architecture, LPA designs a diversity of facilities that span from corporate and civic establishments to K-12 schools, colleges and universities.

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