Mentorship

State IDP Coordinator
Thomas A. House, AIA, NCARB

The Intern Development and Coordination Committee (IDCC), in conjunction with the New Hampshire Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIANH) has developed the AIANH Mentoring Program to provide members with education, training, tools and credentials for developing a well-rounded architect. For the architect, the mentor has traditionally been the person who guides the apprentice along his or her journey towards being a competent professional and designer of the built environment. Whether the mentor is a colleague, advisor of the Protégé or a supervisor within the firm, the goal is the same; to assist in the professional growth and development of a lesser experienced person.

For decades, established professionals have complained that the younger generation does not have the proper knowledge and skills in order to carry on the torch of the architectural profession into the future. This may be due to several factors, including:

Fluctuations in the economy. It is hard enough to complete the work let alone having the time to train the next generation.
There seems to be an ongoing separation between the profession and academia as to who has the responsibility for continued education of our Emerging Professionals.
The profession may have lost its desire or ability to teach.

The goals of this program are to:

Provide AIANH members and Emerging Professionals with tools to develop a well-rounded architect.
Bridge to gap between established professionals and Emerging Professionals.
Enhance the careers of the next generation of architects.
Strengthen the profession of architecture in the state of New Hampshire.
Assist the Emerging Professional in completing the requirements for licensure.
Provide a framework for personal and professional developments in their chosen field of architecture.

For more information, contact Thomas A. House, AIA, NCARB at mentorship@aianh.org