KATIE BAWARSKI, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

ACE ALUMNA, MENTOR, TEAM LEADER, FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER AND ACE NATIONAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

 

My story with ACE began 16 years ago when I was a student with ACE in Albany, NY for 3 years in high school. ACE provided me with an invaluable experience at a young age to explore my interest in architecture, build my professional network, and secure summer internships and even my first job out of college!

Since then, I have experienced this program through the lens of an alumna, mentor, team leader, and founding board member of an affiliate. It is extremely fulfilling to provide opportunities for high school students to learn about design and construction, and hopefully develop an interest in advancing their education and pursuing a career in the industry.

For #ACEDay2020, I wanted to share a few pictures of my journey with ACE. The first picture was taken in 2009 during my summer internship with @DASNY – this was my first time touring a construction site in NYC and it was all thanks to my ACE mentors! The second picture is from 2013 when I served as a mentor with the Denver, CO affiliate and we had the opportunity to take our students on a construction tour of Denver’s Union Station. The last photo is from 2017 when I served as the Vice Chair and Team Leader for the Hudson Valley, NY affiliate. In this photo, I had just finished awarding one of the first scholarships to my ACE mentee, an exciting moment for us both!

Thank you to all of the ACE mentors who have supported my journey into and through the architecture profession! I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.

#mentoringmatters #shareyourstory