May always feels like a moment of transition. The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and within our profession, this season marks a meaningful turning point: graduation ceremonies, the start of summer internships, and the arrival of recent architecture graduates into our firms and studios.
For those of us already rooted in practice, it’s a timely reminder that we each play a role in shaping the pipeline of the profession. A one-on-one coffee break, a bit of feedback on a design exercise, or even just making space at the table can leave a lasting impact on a young designer’s sense of belonging—and their belief in what’s possible.
Whether you are hosting interns, onboarding emerging professionals, or simply sharing what you’ve learned along the way of your own journey, this is the season to show up generously. These early experiences can set the tone for a career. They also reflect who we are as a profession and who we hope to become.
As we move into summer, I encourage all of you to think about how we might offer guidance, encouragement, for the next generation of architects. Mentorship can take many forms, and it starts with intention.
To that end, I’d like to share a thoughtful piece written by a friend and colleague (Jack Whalen, Delaware Young Architect Representative), on the different types of mentorship—and how we can all show up to the season of opportunity for interns and recent graduates: https://www.aia.org/aia-architect/article/how-be-exemplary-mentor
Erin Agdinaoay, AIA, NOMA
Young Architects Representative