AIArchitect, May 9, 2005 - Emerging Professional’s Companion Now Free to All Members

05/2005

Emerging Professional’s Companion Now Free to All Members

The AIA Board of Directors recently voted to subsidize funding so that all AIA members can receive free access to the Emerging Professional’s Companion (EPC). This new tool is an essential mentoring resource for practitioners who employ interns in their firms. The EPC functions as a structure though which firm members can share information about their practice with junior staff. The EPC also provides content for in-house continuing education programs for all levels of staff.

What’s in it for my firm?
The Emerging Professional’s Companion (EPC) exercises and scenarios can serve as the backbone of beginning programs or as a supplement for existing in-house education programs. Using the exercises and content of the EPC, firm educators can:

Create lecture-style presentations
Host design reviews and debates
Support interns on their path to licensure
Improve firm culture surrounding learning opportunities and mentoring for all staff.

Potential benefits to firms can include improved employee retention, incentives for seasoned architects to get involved with continuing education opportunities, and more well-rounded staff who are able to engage in projects at early stages of their career.

EPC convention seminar and demonstrations
Firms may want to be sure that a representative attends the convention workshop “The Emerging Professional’s Companion: Strategies in Intern Development” (E45, Saturday, May 21, 9 a.m.–noon). This highly interactive workshop will provide effective ways to support interns in your firm using the new EPC. Sign up now, because this free program is limited to 100 participants. Also, stop by the membership services area to view an interactive demonstration about the EPC.

Get started
Visit the EPC Web site [www.EPCompanion.org], where can view an online interactive demonstration. Your login will be the same information that you use to access the Members Only portion of the AIA Web site (member number and last name).

Visit the EPC Web site, where can view an online interactive demonstration. Your login will be the same information that you use to access the Members Only portion of the AIA Web site (member number and last name).