ACE Mentor Program Mission ACE Mentor Program is a national organization with a two-fold mission:

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1 ACE MENTOR PROGRAM

2 Training Provide overview of ACE mentor program Provide comprehensive orientation to mentoring. Identify appropriate guidelines for the mentoring experience.

3 ACE Mentor Program Mission ACE Mentor Program is a national organization with a two-fold mission: To enlighten and motivate students toward architecture, construction, engineering and related careers. To provide mentoring and scholarship opportunities for future designers and constructors.

4 Industry Facts Construction 2nd largest industry By Year 2015 Construction Industry is projected to have 1 million job openings For every 5 people leaving industry, only 1 new person entering industry Workforce Development is big issue

5 Brief History of the ACE Mentor Program Founded in 1995 in New York City Began with 1 team of 30 students in 1 city mentored by volunteers from 4 firms 2002 ` 28 cities, more than 1800 students, 600 professional mentors affiliates with 120 sites Over 10,000 students, Over 2500 professional mentors Five Year Strategic Plan 100,000 students

6 Additional Facts ACE Mentor Program 92% of ACE graduates enroll in college. 69% of the ACE participants are minority students (Black, Hispanic or Asian). 31% of ACE students are female. More than $8.2 million in scholarship money has been awarded to ACE participants ACE mentors have contributed more than $22.3 million worth of pro bono time per year.

7 National ACE Mentor Program ACE National Board Affiliate Board Team Team

8 Overview ACE Mentor Program Basis of Program: Teams of professionals (mentors) from local firms work with high school students (mentees) to encourage careers in architecture, construction, and engineering. ACE Mentor Program follows a group mentoring model. - 7 to 10 mentors high school students Meeting are after school for 2 hours Team meets throughout school year, usually every other week Each team selects a design project and students go through the entire design process. Projects are modeled on real life activities.

9 Definition of a Mentor Men-tor n. 1. a wise, loyal advisor. 2. a teacher or coach. Webster s New World College Dictionary, (fourth edition, 2000)

10 Introduction to Mentoring Do you remember the mentors in your life? Effective mentors are: Responsible Committed Patient Good listeners Positive role models Confidential Caring

11 Steps to Become an ACE Mentor Mentors must complete an online application All mentors must undergo and pass a criminal background check Mentors must complete a mentor training program Mentors are assigned to teams with a team leader Calendar and schedule of activities are completed and distributed

12 Benefits of Mentoring Feel better about yourself for having impacted and shaped the lives of youth Improve your morale and job satisfaction Inspire young people to learn from you Contribute to creating a skilled job market

13 Benefits to Students Gain real life experiences Learn about careers in architecture, construction and engineering Improve self-esteem and social skills Explore life goals

14 Good Mentors THE DO s Give attention to students Listen with respect Be committed, consistent and persistent Be positive, reliable and tolerant Respect the students viewpoint Have a sense of humor Communicate clearly Remain confidential

15 Policy: Confidentiality/ Reporting of Abuses All information you learn or are told about your students is confidential. Sharing that information is a violation. But, if any youth tells you something life threatening, you must report it immediately to school and team leader(s). They will take it from there. Examples: child abuse, physical abuse; sexual abuse and general child safety

16 Policy: Records Students family or personal records are confidential. Mentors should not privy to this information. Records include: demographic, academic, anecdotal, tests, specialists exams, medical, home life, personality, and adjustment.

17 Good Mentors More Do s Wear appropriate attire at all times Leave cell phones turned off - Emergencies are the exception. Commit to the day and time of the team meetings. Don t be a no show! Let the group know if you are unable to make an appointment. Encourage the students to also follow these rules.

18 Policy: Dealing With Diversity Respect Diversity: Culture is more than race or ethnicity. It encompasses values, lifestyle and social norms (e.g. communication styles, mannerisms, apparel, family structure, traditions, time orientation, response to authority). Learn about the values and traditions of your students culture. Do not engage in stereotyping. Help students to celebrate the uniqueness of their culture by showing curiosity and interest in the history and traditions of their culture. As a mentor, remain NON-JUDGMENTAL.

19 Good Mentors The DO NOT s Do not serve as students psychiatrist, priest, minister, rabbi, or probation officer You are not the financier and ATM machine Do not expect dramatic changes overnight Mentors should not share personal information Age Telephone and Fax Numbers Address This is personal information and should not be disclosed and shared with students.

20 Good Mentors Mentor giving gifts to Students is prohibited Limit Physical Contact to ensure maximum program protection Limit to: Hand shake Pat on the back No meetings behind closed doors Students should not be alone with one mentor

21 Policy: Transportation Do not transport students in personal cars.

22 First Time You Meet Your Group Get to know the students Have students introduce themselves and what grade they are in. Ask why they decided to join the ACE program Talk about their personal interests, favorite book, movie, sport and ambitions Introduce yourself Use first names if you are comfortable with the informal approach Talk about your job, what it entails and job entry requirements Share your personal interests

23 The Student Teams Students in the teams will have different levels of motivation, selfesteem, academics and skills. Some will have no industry knowledge while others will. Your job as the mentor is to inspire them, allow them to think creatively and recognize their differences. Have fun and they will want to continue in the program.

24 Communicating With Students Give undivided attention Make eye contact (not appropriate in all cultures) Be sensitive to body language Give students the chance to talk Encourage students to ask questions Praise their creativity and initiative

25 Communicating, continued Give honest feedback on ideas Give positive reinforcement Ask How did that make you feel? Acknowledge that you are listening Ask Open-ended questions Discourage poor behavior

26 Activities During Each Session Provide a written agenda or outline for the session. Make sure your team has a specific goal to be accomplished at each meeting that builds toward the final design project. Take attendance at the meetings. Follow up with mentors and students who missed any session Serve refreshments. Students will be hungry and love food.

27 ACE Design Projects Each team will develop a real life design project. At the end of the year, the team of students will present their final project. To explain their projects, students can include presentation boards with drawings, numbers, text, photos, powerpoint presentations, models and other things.

28 Project Goals Discuss team goals with students: 1. Draw up a contract 2. Outline the goal 3. Each meeting, assess your progress and pitfalls 4. Chart the results 5. Reassess or reaffirm the value of the goals you set and make adjustments if needed Remember that students goals must be their own.

29 Special Activities ACE Mentor Program sponsors: Field trips Visits construction sites Other special events.

30 Events Graduating seniors are invited to apply for an ACE Mentor Program scholarship. Scholarships are available through the ACE affiliate and the national office. Participation and attendence of the student in the ACE program are two very important factors in the select scholarship winners. Scholarship applications are available on the ACE website.

31 What If You Have Issues? Any issues and concerns that you may have about your involvement with your team, the group of students and an individual student should be addressed immediately and confidentially to your team captain and school officials. You are not supposed to know it all!

32 Ending Your Involvement If you have to terminate your involvement with the team: Talk to your team Captain first and then inform the other mentors and students. Set a date for your last meeting. Be honest, candid and supportive regardless of the reason for closure. Talk about your thoughts/feelings. Encourage students to do the same. Don t make promises you can t keep.

33 Thank You and Resources Thank you for your interest in becoming a part of the ACE Mentor Program. Information and tips about activities and other team information is available on the website under the mentor page which includes the ACE Mentor Best Practices Manual.

34 For More Information ACE MENTOR PROGRAM National Office 400 Main Street Suite 711 Stamford, CT (203) Fax: (203)