Mentoring is an important way for architecture students to gain experience and learn more about the profession.
But there are concerns that remote working during the coronavirus crisis will have a negative impact on RIBA’s mentoring programme, which supports around 1,000 mentees each academic year.
Not so, says Box Architects senior architect, Lee Holmes, who believes that students – and firms – can still enjoy a positive online mentoring experience.“
People may say they’re missing out but this year has shown that we can all find different ways of doing things, and mentoring is no different,” said Lee, who will be mentoring three students this year. Everyone is in the same boat, and finding new ways to communicate and collaborate. With this year’s cohort, we have shown we can provide a good mentoring experience online.”
While supporting architects of the future remains a priority for Box, Lee is committed to the RIBA programme for other reasons too. He added: “The value of mentoring isn’t just one way; I benefit from the ‘reverse mentoring’ I receive… enthusiastic students at the start of their careers helping to motivate me, and perhaps encouraging me to look at things differently.”
“People may say they’re missing out but this year has shown that we can all find different ways of doing things, and mentoring is no different.”
Lee Holmes, Senior Architect, Box Architects