Recruitment

The ACE Overview Presentation provides a ready-to-use introduction to ACE’s mission, program structure, student experience, and impact. Customize the presentation for meetings with schools, prospective mentors, industry partners, sponsors, and community organizations.

Recruitment Tips

• Tailor the presentation to the audience rather than using the same message for everyone.
• Keep presentations concise and leave time for questions and conversation.
• Include examples and photos from your local affiliate whenever possible.
• Invite a current student, mentor, or alumnus to share their ACE experience.
• End with specific ways the audience can get involved.

Strong relationships with schools are essential for reaching students. Build connections with administrators, counselors, teachers, CTE programs, and other school staff who can introduce students to ACE and encourage ongoing participation.

Recruitment Tips

• Identify a consistent ACE contact or champion within each school.
• Connect with counselors, CTE teachers, STEM teachers, and career development coordinators.
• Ask to present ACE directly to students during classes, career fairs, clubs, or school events.
• Provide teachers and counselors with simple materials they can easily share with students and families.
• Maintain relationships throughout the year—not just during recruitment season.
• Share student success stories with school partners so they can see the impact of their involvement.

Help students and families understand the opportunities available through ACE, including mentorship, hands-on learning, career exploration, scholarships, and connections with AEC professionals. Make it clear what students will experience and why participating is worth their time.

Recruitment Tips

• Lead with the experiences students care about—hands-on projects, job site visits, career exploration, and meeting professionals.
• Use current students and alumni as ambassadors when recruiting new participants.
• Clearly explain that ACE provides opportunities to explore multiple AEC career paths, including Scholarships.
• Provide parents with clear information about schedules, transportation, supervision, and program expectations.
• Make registration instructions simple and easy to find.
• Encourage students to bring a friend or classmate to an ACE information session or event.

ACE mentors bring the program to life by sharing their professional knowledge, career experiences, and perspectives with students. Recruit professionals from across architecture, engineering, construction, skilled trades, and related fields to expose students to the variety of careers available within the industry.

Recruitment Tips

• Ask existing mentors to personally invite colleagues to participate.
• Connect with local AEC firms, professional associations, and industry organizations.
• Clearly explain the expected time commitment before mentors sign up.
• Emphasize that mentors do not need teaching experience—professional experience and a willingness to engage students are what matter.
• Recruit mentors from different disciplines, career levels, and professional backgrounds.
• Encourage participating firms to identify multiple employees so responsibility does not fall on one mentor.

ACE affiliates need volunteers beyond the mentoring team to help with leadership, events, outreach, fundraising, scholarships, communications, and other program needs. Recruiting people with different skills and connections can strengthen the affiliate while allowing mentors to focus on working with students.

Recruitment Tips

• Recruit for specific needs and roles rather than simply asking people to “volunteer.”
• Clearly communicate the expected responsibilities and time commitment.
• Look beyond AEC professionals to parents, alumni, educators, community partners, and other supporters.
• Ask board members, sponsors, and existing volunteers to recommend people from their networks.
• Offer both ongoing and short-term volunteer opportunities.
• Recognize volunteers and show them how their contributions support ACE students and the affiliate’s mission.