Drawing Up the Future: ACE Mentoring Day at JJCA

For many students, stepping into the future feels a lot like visiting a new city: unfamiliar terrain, complex maps, and loads of decisions. Choosing a career isn’t just about picking a job, it’s about finding where you’ll build your best story.

That’s where the ACE (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) Mentor Program (ACE) comes in. ACE gives high schoolers a free, after-school chance to learn from architects, engineers, and builders. It helps them see the career path with tools in hand, instead of wondering about the possibilities around the corner.

At JJCA, we’re proud to host ACE students because we believe great designers don’t just happen, they’re nurtured. On October 14, we opened our doors, conference rooms, and hearts to a bright group of 12 future architects and designers.

The meeting started with an introduction to architecture as a career. Students explored the educational paths that lead to licensure, from five-year bachelor’s programs to six-year options that combine undergrad and graduate work. Sarah Stevens shared insights on how to pick the right college and how different degree combinations, like a master’s in landscape architecture, can shape a career.

Then we got real about what it takes to become an architect. Sarah broke down experience hours, licensure exams, and the timeline from school to certification. Stephanie Pielich zoomed out to show the full scope of the job, from managing budgets and creating masterplans to developing drawings and specs. She also explained how licensure varies by state and how professional development continues as interests evolve.

Throughout the meeting, students asked smart questions, soaked in the details, and saw what a typical day might look like, even though “typical” is pretty rare in our world.

Our hands-on activity involved using Play Doh to mimic a construction project where the Owner (Stephanie) asked for a “pie” with certain characteristics and the students had to recite the information and build the pie as a team. Along the way they would realize that they did not have all the information needed and could come and ask questions.  Depending on the interpretation of the answers and how well they listened, the “pies” end up looking different. The engaging activity highlighted the aspects and importance of asking questions in the construction process and listening to Owners.

For JJCA, it was another chance to invest in the future of design. For the students, it was a peek behind the scenes, and maybe, just maybe, a glimpse of what’s next.