SAN ANTONIO – Students at Reagan High School are getting a firsthand look at careers in architecture, construction and engineering through a national nonprofit that pairs teenagers with industry professionals.
Reagan is one of 15 San Antonio-area schools taking part in the ACE Mentor Program, which gives students real-world experience before they decide what they want to study in college or pursue as a career.
Through the program, about 15 students are assigned a design project that introduces them to the process from layout to construction planning and presentation.
Along the way, the students work with mentors who help explain industry concepts, share workplace language and guide them through the kinds of decisions professionals need to make on the job.
Senior Raquel Arias said the experience has helped her better understand how different fields connect.
“It definitely exposed me to other types of engineering and, just, other related industries,” Arias said. “But it also solidified that electrical really works with a lot of different things.”
The program includes support from 80 mentors, who offer insight into architecture, construction and engineering careers. Students also take field trips to construction sites, which gives them a chance to see how classroom concepts are applied in the field.
Mary Stewart, a civil engineer and chair of the ACE Mentor Program, said the exposure can help students make more informed decisions before college.
“I wish I had this program when I was in high school,” Stewart said.
Stewart said engineering is a broad field, and the program helps students narrow their focus while they are still in high school.
“For these students to explore these career options in high school before they go to college does help support their choices into going into, let’s say, a four-year college and not having to waste more time trying to figure it out,” Stewart said.
Approximately 350 students are involved in the local ACE Mentor Program. Some former participants return after college to mentor the next generation of students interested in those industries.
Arias said working with mentors has been a valuable part of the program and hopes to apply what she has learned in future opportunities.
“I look forward to working in internships and using my knowledge to help others,” she said.
Students who take part in the program are also eligible for scholarships to help them continue their education and move closer to careers in engineering and related fields.
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