Mentoring the Future

Most of us can point to at least one mentor who helped shape our journey from engineer-in-training to professional engineer: someone who offered advice at the right moment, advocated for us, answered incessant questions about an especially tricky load path analysis, or simply believed in us when we did not yet believe in ourselves.

In fact, the profession itself acknowledges the essential value of mentoring by requiring aspiring structural engineers to complete several years of supervised experience under a licensed professional before they can become licensed themselves. It is not simply a regulatory step though – it is a tradition of learning by doing, guided by someone who has been there.
Enter the ACE Mentor Program, which, through an established, nationwide mentoring program, is helping shape future engineers to be thoughtful, capable leaders who will follow in the impressive path of today’s innovators and ultimately build the world of tomorrow.

The ACE Mentor Program of America is a national nonprofit whose mission is to engage, excite, and enlighten high school students about careers in Architecture, Construction, and Engineering through mentoring and to support their continued advancement into the industry. With more than 70 affiliates across the country, ACE connects students with working professionals through hands-on activities, project-based learning, and personal guidance that brings real-world relevance to classroom concepts. ACE uses mentorship to bridge the gap between education and industry.

ACE was established in 1994 and is the brainchild of world-renowned structural engineer Charles H. Thornton of Thornton Tomasetti. Noticing a concerning trend of declining enrollment in engineering and construction programs at educational institutions in the early 1990s, he recognized the need for dramatic change. In a 2011 television interview with the NBC Today Show, Thornton said he started to realize “you can’t sell engineering to high school students; you’ve got to go in and sell an industry. You’ve got to talk about architecture, construction, engineering, subcontracting, steel erection, the trades, and get these kids excited.” Thus became the inspiration for the ACE Mentor Program of America.

It started small, within the Thornton Tomasetti office in New York City. Now, 30 years later, over 14,000 high school students across the country meet with more than 5,000 professionals from the industry on an annual basis to learn about design and construction in ways that transcend the typical classroom experience. Each year, an estimated 2,000 ACE alumni enter the design and construction industry, thanks in large part to the more than $42 million in scholarships that the organization–through financial contributions from industry partners–has invested in students’ post-secondary education goals.

Besides exposure to a specific career pathway, personalized guidance can help a mentee navigate challenges in life, academics, or career with greater self-empowerment and clarity. Through regular support and encouragement, mentees develop stronger problem-solving skills, better communication, and a greater sense of self-awareness, which can be a powerful head start both personally and professionally. For a young person navigating big decisions about their future, a mentor can help them explore what is possible, identify a path forward, provide the tools and encouragement to go after a goal, and even open a few doors along the way.
Most importantly, the opportunity of a trusting relationship, especially in today’s digitally-connected and personally-distant world, is an unrivaled advantage. When so much communication, for young people in particular, is filtered through screens–or maybe even done via artificial intelligence–mentorship offers something increasingly rare: genuine, face-to-face connection. There is a difference between watching a tutorial online and sitting next to someone who can explain why a beam failed, walk through the math, and even share a personal anecdote of a lesson learned on a past project. Human connection builds confidence in a way that digital resources simply cannot replicate, and in structural engineering—a discipline rooted in trust, collaboration, and public safety—real relationships matter.

ACE brings these benefits of mentorship to life through a structured and supportive mentoring program where high school students can explore careers in architecture, construction, and engineering alongside real working professionals. In weekly sessions from October through March, students hear from industry professionals, as well as try various careers for themselves through hands-on activities, construction site visits, and project based learning. Each week focuses on a specific career path or skill set, like structural systems, bubble diagramming, or cost estimating, principles of which are then applied to a design project that ties the entire curriculum together.

Activities like designing and load testing bridges made from toothpicks and gumdrops can make the complex world of structural engineering both approachable and fun for a 14-year old. Stepping onto a construction site or walking through a professional office brings the industry to life and connects classroom concepts to real-world careers – because if they can see it, they can be it. By designing and presenting their very own projects, students step into the shoes of their mentors and experience the challenges and problem solving of the industry firsthand.
These design projects are truly the cornerstone of the ACE experience. Teams of students are challenged to collaborate, imagine, and develop a real world project – anything from a museum to a multi-modal transportation center, or an airport terminal to a community space. Guided by their mentors, students work through every stage of the design process from research and planning, to concept development and budgeting, and ultimately conclude the program with a final presentation to industry leaders. This process intentionally mirrors the collaborative and iterative nature of professional design and construction. By experiencing this dynamic firsthand, the students gain technical knowledge as well as the interpersonal and leadership skills that are essential for any career. In essence, ACE doesn’t just teach students about design and construction – it immerses them in the very way the industry works together to transform skylines.

Beyond the regular mentoring sessions and design challenges, ACE also connects students to scholarships, internships, post-secondary academic resources, continued mentoring, and job opportunities, making the path to a career in structural engineering and related fields more accessible.

Mentors stand to gain as much as mentees in sharing their time, knowledge, and passion to invest in the future workforce. Sharing knowledge pushes mentors to reflect on personal growth, refine their own communication skills, and stay connected to evolving perspectives and interests of the next generation.

Being a mentor offers a deep sense of fulfillment that comes from giving back to a field they care about. It is incredibly rewarding to share knowledge and see it spark curiosity, growth, or confidence in someone just starting out. Watching a student grasp a difficult concept, complete their first project, and grow as a young professional is a powerful reminder that the mentor’s experience matters. For many mentors, it’s a meaningful way to make a lasting impact and contribute to the future of the profession that can also offer a refreshing break from the daily grind. Many mentors walk away from each session feeling recharged, inspired, and filled with energy, fresh perspectives, and meaningful conversation with bright, young minds.

Mentorship is also powerful for professional growth. It emphasizes the need to articulate decision-making processes more clearly, which can improve one’s ability to lead teams, manage projects, or train junior staff in your workplace. It cultivates patience, empathy, and active listening–all traits that are essential in effective leaders. Additionally, being an ACE mentor offers opportunities to hone technical expertise. Explaining complex ideas, like structural systems and design loads, to curious high school students can sharpen a mentor’s own understanding. In fact, young mentors often admit to learning right alongside their students as they listen in on presentations from their co-mentors in other (or perhaps even their own) disciplines in design and construction.

Mentors often form lasting bonds as they collaborate, share insights, and work toward the common goal of supporting the next generation. These connections expand professional networks, reinforce a shared commitment to the future of the industry, and even set an example to the students that professional success is about much more than technical skill. Because mentor teams represent the full spectrum of AEC disciplines (architecture, engineering, construction management, technical trades, and beyond), professionals also enjoy a chance to strengthen relationships across the industry. In many cases, they find themselves networking not only with peers, but also with current and future clients, making the program a true win-win for mentors and students alike.

The ACE Mentor Program has set itself apart as the fastest growing AEC mentoring program for high school students in the country. The secret to the success of the program lies in harnessing the passion of volunteers who work in the industry and sharing it directly with our next generation. ACE’s multi-disciplinary approach surpasses other organizations’ tendencies to provide a single-discipline scope, offering a well-rounded and diverse introduction to a variety of career paths with an emphasis on understanding how they all fit together to bring projects to life.
For students, ACE is more than an afterschool program – it’s a life-changing opportunity to get a head start on exploring real careers, gaining professional exposure, and building confidence through meaningful connections with passionate mentors. Students leave the program with a clearer vision for their own future, a stronger support system, and the inspiration to pursue paths they may never have imagined possible. ACE’s unique combination of technical learning, real-world exposure, and personal connection sets the program apart. Best of all, the program is completely free and has no GPA requirements, ensuring that any student with curiosity and interest can take part.

For firms and professionals, ACE is more than a volunteer opportunity; it’s a platform for networking, collaboration, and industry engagement. Through its mission-driven work, ACE is showing that mentorship is the key for ensuring a stronger, more inclusive, and better-prepared structural engineering workforce. ACE creates meaningful opportunities for companies and their employees to grow professionally, strengthen industry connections, and have a direct hand in the development of their future talent pipeline.

Mentorship is not about being perfect or having all the answers. It doesn’t even require a huge time commitment. It’s about being present. Whether it is through the ACE Mentor Program or simply by volunteering with a local school, offering a job shadow, speaking at a career day, or seeking out the new graduate engineer in your office, your experience has the power to shape the future of this industry.

You probably remember the person who helped you believe you could do it. Now it’s your turn. Be that person for someone else. ■

About the Author

Amy Hufnagel, PE, is the Executive Director of ACE Mentor Program Houston, the local affiliate of the national ACE organization. As a licensed structural engineer and ACE mentor since 2012, she is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of design and construction professionals. Learn more at acementor.org.