Mentor Steve Koester — Corderman & Company

Steve Koester is an Assistant Project Manager at Corderman & Company, a top construction management firm in Boston. He has been an integral part of the team during the three years that he has worked for the firm and his dedication and self-motivation led to him being named a Rising Star by the NEREJ last year. His contributions extend beyond his work at Corderman, reflected in his continued engagement with the ACE Mentor Program.

This program, founded in 1994, is a free, after-school program in which high school students can connect with experts in the design and construction industry and explore opportunities for scholarships, internships, and careers in the architecture, construction, and engineering fields. With 75+ affiliates across the US, the ACE Mentor Program strives to make these educational opportunities available to a diverse population of students and groups, particularly to traditionally underrepresented communities in the industry.

After attending the ACE End of Year Networking event in 2022, Steve was impressed with the industry and city’s support of this program. Seeking a means by which he could expand his network and make a positive change in the industry, Steve decided to join ACE for the next available school year. He is currently in the middle of his second year as an ACE Mentor.

A class setting, students sit in rows at tables, some students stand along the wall to the left, a projector screen shows a presentation. The scene shows the students presenting on their ACE projects at the end of the Mentor Program in Boston.

In reflecting on his experiences thus far, Steve emphasizes the importance of these programs and the impacts that they can have on young students looking to further their education and become immersed in the industry. He notes that “the most important skills that students have the opportunity to learn through the ACE program are collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving. Construction can often feel like assembling an army for a quest to design and construct a giant puzzle. There are a million different ways to do it.” Steve appreciates the challenges often presented in the industry, and enjoys the chance to “offer an outlet for the students to exercise a creative mindset, while respecting the boundaries of math and science.”

He has also found inspiration in the students’ motivation to participate in this optional, after-school program and to consistently show up and learn and work as a team. He expresses his confidence in this young group growing into the next generation of workers in the industry: “I know that these students have successful careers ahead of them, regardless of the fields they choose. Just by going the extra mile, such as participating in an optional, after-school program, they are making strong investments in themselves that will pay dividends down the road.”

The students and mentors line up for a photo, there are four rows of people, some kneeling, others crouching, and the last two rows standing. They are smiling and looking at the camera.

These students’ extra efforts often do have a relatively immediate return, with $210,000 in scholarships having been awarded to the class of 2023 by ACE Boston last year. Nationwide, approximately $2.5 million in scholarships are awarded annually to high school seniors and alumni studying to pursue industry-related careers. Seeing the sense of pride and accomplishment on the senior students’ faces upon receiving these life-changing awards has grown to be one of Steve’s favorite parts of the program.

Though mentorship is often defined by a mentor providing guidance to a younger or less experienced mentee, Steve recognizes that mentorship is fundamentally reciprocal in nature. He comments that his involvement has allotted him the opportunity to refine his abilities as a teacher and an educator and has created a space where he can take more initiative. “ACE has pushed me to throw myself into the mix of things and make the best of each given situation,” reflects Steve.

His experiences with ACE have shown him the necessity of mentorship in the industry. Steve realizes that beginning to understand the intricacies of the industry early on are vital to a student’s ability to move into the workforce with confidence. When asked what advice he would give to young people considering a career in construction, engineering, or architecture, Steve shared the following: “There is a huge need for designers and builders in this large, growing field of construction that is creating lots of job opportunities. Even if you haven’t enjoyed a few aspects of a certain part of design or construction in the past, I would recommend trying other disciplines or types of projects. Every project, project team, and specialized discipline is different. Learning what you don’t like is part of the process of finding the things you enjoy.”

Steve Koester walks through an aisle of classroom tables and helps a student with some work. He is volunteering as a Mentor through the ACE Program in Boston, inspiring students interested in the AEC industry.

Steve’s final thoughts on ACE and the importance of such programs are as follows: “Mentorship is important for every aspiring individual but that may look different to each person depending on their needs and communication styles. Finding a few people that you look up to and surrounding yourself with them can go a long way. I believe education has the power to lift and improve anyone’s current situation and position in society. A great society is reliant on successful individuals reaching back and lending a helping hand to assist those that will someday follow in their footsteps.”

Steve Koester has certainly used his experiences and understanding of the industry to help the ACE Program’s students navigate their career paths and professional development. Likewise, his commitment to the program has enhanced his own experiences in the construction industry, motivating him to work through challenges, seek knowledge and learn from the community, and to continue to inspire the next generation.

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