| Submissions are Due June 7, 2024 |
| AIA TN likes to recognize Tennessee firms who offer great support and opportunities to their Early-Career Professionals and to suggest more ways that all firms can elevate the level of EP support state-wide. We hope this process helps foster dialogue within firms and communities and across the state to create new and innovative policies and opportunities to support and develop the future members of our profession. All firms, no matter the size, are encouraged to apply! For this award, early-career professionals (EPs) include architecture students, recent graduates, aspiring architects, and newly licensed architects who have been licensed within the last ten years. apply now >> Submission deadline is June 7! Questions? Email molly@aiatn.org. |
AIA Tennessee’s Early-Career Professional Definition: For this award, early-career professionals include architecture students, recent graduates, aspiring architects, and newly licensed architects who have been licensed within the last ten years. Early-Career Professionals may be referred to as “EPs” as short hand.
Goals: Early-Career Professionals are critical components to the vitality and growth of AIA and the profession. As such, recruitment and retention of these valued members is critical to our success. AIA Tennessee recognizes firms who offer superior support and opportunities to EPs. We hope this process helps foster dialogue within firms and communities and across the state to create new and innovative policies and opportunities to support and develop the future members of our profession.
Guiding Principles:
Foster Value and Retention of EPs
Providing unique firm cultures and benefits to encourage recruitment and retention of EPs
Providing equitable career opportunities, compensation, and benefits
Provide strong professional development for EPs
Mentorship
Encouraging and celebrating licensure
Providing EPs with a broad and diverse experiences in firm practice
Committing to and investing at all phases of their professional development
Promote EP engagement and leadership in the profession and the community
Providing leadership opportunities and clear paths for advancement within firm
Encouraging EPs to inform firm culture to transform the practice of architecture for the next generation
Promoting involvement in the AIA and industry, charitable, and community organizations
How it works:
Upon the evaluation of the following application by an impartial out-of-state jury, we will present the certification of “EcP-Friendly Firm” to applicants who demonstrate consistent accordance with the guiding principles listed above. Firms qualifying for this status may use the AIA TN EcP-Friendly Firm logo on promotional materials to display their commitment to Early-Career Professionals. If a firm exhibits particular excellence, we will award them the “Outstanding EcP-Friendly Firm” award in each category listed below:
Small firm = 10 & under
Medium firm = 11-49
Large firm = 50+
All awards will be presented at the AIA Tennessee Celebration of Architecture during the AIA Tennessee Conference on Architecture. As this recognition is awarded annually, firms are encouraged to participate every year, refining their applications to demonstrate their continued support of EPs. An out-of-state jury will judge applications; firm identities will remain anonymous during evaluation.
INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:
The following application is to be filled out by a firm principal and one to three EPs, depending on the firms size. All must sign the application for it to be valid. Applications are to be submitted through the award submission link by 5:00 PM CST on June 7, 2024.
There is no monetary fee to apply: we only ask for your dedication to this effort.
All answers should reflect firm’s current policies and practices.
Please do not use identifying firm information such as firm name, principals’ names, logos, firm address, or specific project names. Your submission may be disqualified if your application is not anonymous.