Otak Hosts ACE Mentor Program’s Class of 2022

June, 2022

Otak is committed to nurturing the development of our industry’s next generation of talent, which is why we cherish our relationship with the ACE Mentor Program of Oregon.  

A Partnership Supporting the Future of the Industry

An after-school initiative that connects Portland-area high school students to careers in architecture, engineering, and construction, the ACE Mentor Program serves 150 students per year. It also gives Otak an opportunity to give back, which is why we leapt at the chance to host an event at our HQ in honor of this year’s graduates. 

“Stay hungry for knowledge and keep an open mind. Learning is a life-long effort that needs to be continually updated…”

– Josh Guerra, Otak Senior Project Architect and former ACE Mentor

Besides showing students and their families around the Otak office, we donated school supplies, tools, and some Otak gear to those about to embark on their vocational journeys in the building arts. Josh Guerra, Senior Project Architect at Otak and former mentor in the program, also took the time to impart some words of wisdom to this year’s graduating class: 

“I advise you to stay hungry for knowledge and keep an open mind. Learning is a life-long effort that needs to be continually updated… I encourage you to take elective classes outside of your major. Study philosophy, theology, literature, business, and psychology. Avoid classes that try to teach you what to think, and instead seek out classes that teach you how to think critically.” 

It’s this kind of learning and development that drives Otak’s operations, and it’s a desire for new, bright, diverse talent that keeps us faithful to our mission. We’d like to extend a formal thank you to the students and families that came to the event, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.