Information for Students
The ACE Mentor Program of Greater NY is a free after-school mentorship program to introduce high school students to careers in architecture, engineering, and construction management.
ACE GNY is a full year program running from late October through May, with some options for starting in January. Our program is split into teams, with each team having around 20-30 high school students and 12-15 mentors. Mentors are architects, civil and structural engineers, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers, and construction managers. Mentors lead students through their career pathways, introduce them to foundational knowledge of their industry, and teach students to use design software that they use in their everyday jobs. After the basics, the team works on a pseudo-design project of their choosing to apply what they learned to a real-life situation. In May, teams will present their project via PowerPoint presentation and then share their project with the entire ACE GNY community at the Year-End Showcase.
Teams meet for about two hours after school at a host firm or university throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, White Plains, and Riverdale. There are also remote team options.
What are the benefits?
- Deep understanding of the design and construction industry;
- Firsthand look at professional environment and office life;
- Connections to alumni and professionals who will continue to provide support and networking during your college years and professional life;
- Introduction to college programs, degree requirements, and keys to success;
- Behind-the-scenes access to construction sites;
- Opportunities for scholarships, internships, and post-college employment;
- Excellent training in presentation and team building skills.
How do I sign-up?
- Register on our Website at the Yellow Button below. All high school students grades 9-12 are welcome to register. No prior experience in architecture, engineering, or construction management is required. We do not require applicants to submit grades, recommendation letters, or essays. Make sure you are registering with an email address you check often.
2. Select Your Team – Starting September, all registered students with signed Parent Consent Forms on file will receive an email with a map of the teams to choose from. Submit your team choice on the Google Form shared with the map. Students and parents will get an email confirmation if they are accepted onto the team. Teams are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Most students select a team based on their location and weekday availability.
3. Attend Team Sessions – Mentors will send a welcome email by mid October or early January (depending on the team start) outlining what to expect during the first session. Teams will begin meeting late October 2026. There are a handful of teams that will begin meeting January 2027.
Questions? Email us at GreaterNY@acementor.org!
The Student Experience
One of the best parts of ACE is being surrounded by people that are in the field you are interested in! You can ask questions, build connections and have great support. I have always had an interest in architecture but being part of ACE for 3 years inspired me further and enabled me to see I can produce more than I realized. I feel more confident in my abilities as my experience at ACE provided me with sufficient knowledge to understand the role of an architect. ACE has really been a memorable experience and I’m glad I was able to participate.
- Ellianys Betances (Team 2), Manhattan Bridges High School (Bronx, NY)
