AIAS Professional Development Summit


Friday, March 6, 2026
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM (PST)

Center for Architecture + Design


140 Sutter Street San Francisco, CA 94104
Category: Youth Festival Event

Join AIAS student leaders from CCA, USF, and the Academy of Art for a multi-school Professional Development Summit. Designed to bridge the gap between academia and practice, this half-day event moves away from passive lectures and focuses on high-touch, human engagement. Students will participate in team-building, networking, and hands-on breakout sessions including resume reviews, mock interviews, and portfolio storytelling - led by local firm practitioners. 

Free professional headshots will also be provided!

Participating Firms & Organizations Include: Representatives from Gensler, LinkedIn, Stantec, SCB, Mithun, Siegel & Strain Architects, Zack/de Vito Architecture + Construction, Perkins Eastman, Hobstetter Architecture Studio, VPA, William J. Higgins, and a number of AIASF's Knowledge Communities such as Architectural Licensing Committee (ALC) and Bay Area Young Architects (BAYA).

Agenda:

12:00 PM: Doors Open, Check-in, light lunch

12:15 PM – 12:45 PM: Opening Keynote by Peter Weingarten (Gensler)

1:00 PM – 1:45 PM: Portfolio Storytelling Panel

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: LinkedIn Strategy & Profile Building

3:15 PM – 3:50 PM: "The First 5 Years" Panel

3:50 PM – 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks & Networking Happy Hour

Ongoing (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Concurrent 1-on-1 portfolio reviews, resume/cover letter checks, and mock interviews happening throughout our breakout spaces.

Additional Details for Attendees:

  • Attire: Business Casual (Come ready for your headshot!)
  • What to bring: Students are encouraged to bring laptops, digital or physical copies of their resumes, and portfolios for the workshop sessions.