This January, the BSA is offering several opportunities for emerging designers making the New Year’s resolution to sharpen their professional skills.

Rotch Scholarship

Applications for the Rotch Travelling Scholarship are due on January 14. A two-stage design competition, the process results in the selection of one Rotch Scholar, who receives $40,000 to travel and study architecture internationally for at least six months.

Why apply? William Smith, a 2021 Rotch finalist runner-up, said, "This was my first attempt at the Rotch scholarship and found it a both challenging and rewarding experience. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to hear feedback from the jury to keep in mind for future work."

Last year’s Rotch Scholar was Kyle Barker AIA. Read our recent interview with Barker for more about his work and perspective.

ARE Mentors and Success Teams

Whether you’ve already put away your ARE flashcards, you're currently buried in a mountain of study notes, or you plan to start preparing for the exam soon, you can find community through the BSA's ARE Success Teams, which bring together unlicensed designers to study and successfully complete the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).

Success teams will be formed at a kickoff meeting on January 19. And opportunities are open for those who have already completed their exams, too. Those who are licensed and interested in serving as ARE mentors should contact us via email at [email protected].

Young Designers Professional Development Institute

Eager to polish your business and leadership skills? Interested in learning the most current professional best practices from industry leaders? Registration is now open for the Young Designers Professional Development Institute (YDPDI), a nine-month program consisting of 12 sessions. Register by January 26 to take part in this year's program and get a head-start on completing your New Year's resolution.