VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY! ACE Mentor Program is Looking for Mentors

Background Information:

Design and Construction industry professionals, including but not limited to Architects, Contractors, Construction Managers, Skilled Trades Workers, Engineers of multiple disciplines, Interior Designers, Owners Representatives, Local and State Government employees, and Developers can all qualify as Mentors. These professionals meet with students on a weekly basis and develop a hypothetical design project over the course of 15 weeks in an after-school format. These volunteers will have the most interaction and the greatest impact on the students.

Mentors are especially needed in Oakland, San Leandro, Castro Valley, and Fremont/Newark/Union City!

Mentor Role Description

Engages the students in learning about the integrated Construction Industry.
Serves as a professional role model.
Inspires and guides student teams to complete and present their final design project.
Assists in hands-on activities and informal presentations.
Networks with the team.
Establishes a bond with the students.
Works collaboratively with other mentors on a team and by their collective interaction.
Demonstrates how the different industry disciplines must integrate to the design and building of a project.
Helps plan and sometimes lead sessions.
Shares with the students their own career path and the requirements for entering their field.
Devotes their entire attention to the students and mentor activities during each session and avoids emails, text messages, and other non-ACE related communications during sessions.
Helps students with letters of recommendation, internships, resume’s, scholarship applications, etc.
Advises students about college, the application process, recommendations letters, etc.
Advises students on trades apprenticeship programs, and requirements to apply.
Helps to conduct any year-end program evaluation by the students or the team of mentors, or the affiliate.

Registration

Complete an on-line application: https://www.acementor.org/mentors-volunteers/
Apply for a background check
Attend pre-season planning meetings with Team Leader(s) and other adult volunteers.
Attend weekly team sessions throughout the season (mentors are encouraged to attend all sessions)

Time Commitment

Mentors are encouraged to attend every session with students, other mentors, guests, and guest speakers (those who attend 2 or less sessions) but this is not mandatory. Scheduling of individual sessions is developed prior to the beginning of activities with the students and coordinated with Team Leaders and other volunteers.

At least 15 sessions from January through May on a weekly basis adjusted for school holidays and breaks.
Attend all team activities whenever possible and when unable to attend, notify the Team Leader(s) in advance of your inability to attend a particular session.
Other activities to include Construction site tours, final presentation event, college night, intro to trades apprenticeship programs, etc.