As architects and AIA International members it is important to give back to the profession.
Mentoring is one way to do so; it is invaluable to transfer knowledge in terms of tectonics, navigating regulatory framework and the profession’s ethics to the next generation of practitioners. This builds their confidence and hones their judgment; ultimately benefiting the profession as a whole in terms of the health, safety and welfare of the public. Delightful spaces may arise too, as the intern may no doubt be influenced by the mentor’s design sensibilities. (pick your mentor wisely!)
Mentoring an up-and-coming architect is encouraged in many jurisdictions. In Ontario, Canada for example (where I am licensed), architects are obliged to mentor by the Ontario Association of Architects’ Code of Ethics:
"Architects will provide mentorship and guidance in the interests of the profession." [1]
The AIA Code of Ethics encourages mentoring as well. Members should:
”... fulfill their obligation to nurture fellow professionals ...beginning with professional education in the academy, progressing through internship and continuing throughout their career.” [2]
As we will see, this obligation is not an onerous one. There are many benefits also to the mentor, as an intern’s inherent skills and energy may benefit one’s practice in the long run.
Forms of Mentoring
There are generally two forms of architectural mentorship: the official, formalized program prescribed by most jurisdictions for licensure, and the unprescribed, more casual mentorship which continues even for seasoned professionals throughout their career.
In the first instance, the mentee selects a suitable mentor (usually a more senior architect working at another firm to avoid the appearance of favouritism), and together they review and tabulate certain hours in various critical fields of architecture to complete their internship. The aim is to focus critically on areas of development for the intern necessary towards their goal of becoming a licensed architect.
According to the AIA, the goal of a state’s Intern Development Program (IDP) is to provide ”a structured transition between formal education and architectural registration” for interns.” [3]
The second form of mentoring is one that may continue to benefit practising professionals throughout their career. Generally unstructured, this more informal type of mentoring is often gleaned from working with more senior, experienced colleagues that an architect admires and sometimes just as effectively through socializing with them to hear stories from the field. In any case, it is prudent to outline specific career goals and to schedule periodic meetings between the mentor and mentee (perhaps over coffee or after-hours) to review progress.
In both cases the overall goals of mentorship are the sharing of knowledge, developing responsible professional judgment and the focusing of professional ambitions.
Benefits of Mentoring
In my own career I have experienced unexpected benefits while mentoring (informally), like revisiting my design approach and gaining deep insights into the profession from different cultural, intellectual and even technical viewpoints that have upped my design acumen. Colleagues and staff I managed have commented that my leadership skills have improved, with an enhanced focus on empathy, professionalism, and the setting of achievable goals that are often exceeded by the team. Indeed, the mentor sometimes becomes the mentee…
Do you have any stories of how mentoring someone benefited you, or the impact that a mentor had on you to share with our colleagues?
Please add your comments below...
Luke Andritsos,
OAA, AIA, RA (CA), NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, MRAIC AIA Int'l Communication & Public Relations Committee, Article Writer (Contributor)
[1] Ontario Association of Architects’ Code of Ethics: https://oaa.on.ca/protecting-the-public/code-of-ethics
[2] 2020 Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, E.S. 5.2 Intern and Professional Development: https://www.aia.org/pages/3296-code-of-ethics-and-professional-conduct
[3] Mentoring Essentials for IDP Supervisors and Mentors, Nov. 2022
