Leadership Opportunities for Young Architects and Associate AIA Members

0By Mickey Jacob, AIA

0If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.

0- John Quincy Adams, 6th U.S. President, (1825-29)

0Leadership is a daunting word and task for many people, especially those who are at the early years of their careers in the profession of architecture. Emerging architects and Associate AIA members are the future of the profession. It is important that emerging architects and Associate AIA Members understand the value of investing time and energy in service to the profession and the community.

0Many young architects and Associate AIA members have schedule constraints, caused by workloads to meet the needs of employers and clients, while trying to plan and prepare for the ARE Exam, and balance a personal life. But never lose sight of the importance of engaging in outside activities that enrich your knowledge and give you valuable experience from participating in something you believe strongly about.

Young Architects Are the Future of the Profession

0One of the most intensely debated topics at national AIA Board of Directors meetings is how the architectural profession is not cultivating young talent at a rate that continues to grow the number of new architectural licensees to seed the future of the profession. It is a huge challenge to understand what the needs and desires are of young, emerging professionals entering the profession, and what motivates them to seek their professional licenses and become leaders. Additionally, it is even a bigger challenge to find ways to encourage Associate members to be involved with AIA on a level that will pique their interests, and more importantly, open up opportunities to assume positions of leadership.

0In response to this challenge, a critical aspect of the new AIA Strategic Plan is to encourage and engage Associate AIA members to be active, and participate in, issues important to the profession. How can we begin the process of mentoring Associate AIA members in the fine art of being active? Sometimes all that needs to be done to get something started is to just ask…so consider this a request to get more involved.

Get Involved With AIA at the Local Chapter Level

0Associate AIA members belong to a local AIA chapter, which offers programs and events. These activities don’t happen without member involvement to get the work done. As a member-driven organization, AIA cannot survive without active participation of its members. The beauty of AIA is that it can facilitate many activities in whatever area of interest you have in the profession, which opens up opportunities to engage in leadership. Never pass up a chance to talk about the importance of design in shaping healthy, livable communities and quality of life for everyone.

Seek Out Community Activities

0Look for opportunities in the community to be an advocate for the profession. Find ways to engage the public on important issues. Attend public meetings, participate with your neighborhood association, go to City Council or the County Commission and speak on an issue that is of importance to you. There is no better public exposure for yourself, and as an advocate of the profession, than to stand in front of a community group and speak from the heart about an issue that you are passionate about.

0These types of civic engagement provide you with invaluable experience and visibility. They also position you as a leader in your profession from the perspective of the community. Additionally, as you gain more experience and notoriety from your involvement, you will find that people will seek you out for your expertise and opinion, and even new positions of leadership.

Volunteer Opportunities

0It’s also easy to find places to volunteer to make a difference in your neighborhood – read a book to an elementary school class at lunchtime (teachers and students appreciate this kind of outreach), pound some nails with Habitat For Humanity on the weekend, slap some paint on an old house with Paint Your Heart Out, or other nonprofit organizations.

0Seek out a political candidate who you like or whose platform you agree with, and spend a few Sundays working on their election campaign, walking through neighborhoods. It will give you a whole new perspective on how communities function and how important politics is to shaping the policies that affect people in their daily lives.

0These are a few of the opportunities that exist to participate in making our neighborhoods and cities better places to live. As an architect, you will bring community awareness to the profession, which is exposure that no amount of money can buy.

Perception is Reality

0And don’t forget that perception is usually reality – if from your actions, you are perceived by your colleagues, your community, and your friends to be a leader – then, in all probability, you are one.

0For some reason, we as architects have not been able to cultivate a visible culture of leadership in the community other than through our work. Excellence in design and successful projects are extremely important – but they are not enough if we want to position the profession to be perceived as the leaders in developing and implementing the solutions to issues that will affect our communities.

You Can Make a Difference

0There is no magical potion to attain leadership positions – all it takes is an investment in time and energy and a belief that you can make a difference.

0The quote at the start of this article is simple, yet still true today. Your actions will make a difference and help you to become better positioned to be a leader in the profession and the community.

0Take the initiative, get engaged and start the process to become an effective leader – and you will find that the return on your investment of time and dedication to advocacy of the profession will reap rewards as great accomplishments.

0Remember that very few of us are lucky enough to do great things in a big way, but all of us can do small things in a great way. So if you invest a little time, commitment, and passion, your involvement will provide you with amazing and fulfilling experiences. All it takes is a little leadership.

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0Mickey Jacob, AIA is managing principal of Urban Studio Architects in Tampa, Florida. He is Florida/Caribbean Regional Director on the AIA National Board of Directors, and 2004-2007 ArchiPAC chair.

Keywords: Leadership, Associate members, Emerging architects, Public outreach, Public service, Community involvement in design, Education of the public, Community development, AIA Board of Directors, Local components, AIA Chapters, Civic engagement, Volunteer opportunities