a:30:{s:9:"weblog_id";s:1:"2";s:8:"entry_id";s:3:"512";s:6:"sticky";s:1:"n";s:14:"allow_comments";s:1:"n";s:16:"allow_trackbacks";s:1:"n";s:10:"entry_date";s:19:"2009-04-03 05:23 AM";s:15:"expiration_date";s:0:"";s:23:"comment_expiration_date";s:0:"";s:8:"category";a:2:{i:0;s:2:"15";i:1;s:2:"48";}s:9:"author_id";s:1:"2";s:10:"new_weblog";s:1:"2";s:6:"status";s:4:"open";s:14:"trackback_urls";s:0:"";s:18:"versioning_enabled";s:1:"y";s:5:"title";s:53:"St. Louis AIA  Helps Young Designers Hit by Recession";s:9:"url_title";s:51:"st_louis_aia_helps_young_designers_hit_by_recession";s:6:"submit";s:6:"Update";s:10:"field_id_5";s:53:"St. Louis AIA  Helps Young Designers Hit by Recession";s:10:"field_ft_5";s:4:"none";s:10:"field_id_9";s:133:"The St. Louis Chapter AIA is providing financial assistance in professional development to young designers impacted by firm cutbacks.";s:10:"field_ft_9";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_13";s:0:"";s:10:"field_id_7";s:29:"AIA, assistance, scholarships";s:10:"field_ft_7";s:4:"none";s:10:"field_id_8";s:2426:"<p><img alt=\"Helping Hand\" class=\"image-left\" height=\"303\" src=\"/images/uploads/helping-hand.jpg\" style=\"float: left;\" width=\"266\" />The St. Louis Chapter AIA is providing financial assistance in professional development to young designers impacted by firm cutbacks in the face of declining work on the boards. AIA issued the following statement in an email to its members:</p>
<p>\"Last week, the trustees of the AIA St. Louis Scholarship Fund met.
The state of the economy and its devastating effect on our industry and
profession was one of our topics. We know that the number of unemployed and under-employed architects
and interns continues to grow. Many firms face extinction as more and
more construction projects are placed on hold.</p>
<p>\"To assist our profession during these uncertain days, the AIA St.
Louis Scholarship Fund is allocating funds to be made available to
unemployed/underemployed architects and interns on their pathway to
licensure. The funds will be processed through the AIA St. Louis office
as interest-free loans, to be paid back when full time employment
returns, and then on a mutually agreeable and in a reasonable time
frame. These are unique times, and we are undertaking a unique way to
support the St. Louis architectural community.</p>
<p>\"The funds may be borrowed for ARE testing and preparation, LEED
certification testing and preparation, or for computer classes for
Revit, BIM or programs that will make you a better architect or intern
when you return to work. We will also consider applications for other
professional growth and development opportunities.</p>
<p>\"We know that there are impending deadlines such as the LEED testing
deadline and the 3.1 ARE... We want the funds to be
available immediately for these deadlines.</p>
<p>\"The AIA St. Louis Scholarship Fund is able to undertake this unique
stimulus program because of the generosity of its donors and the
ongoing support it receives. We therefore, must express our gratitude
to the founders and trustees of the Fund for developing and growing the
fund to allow us to continue to invest in our profession.\"</p>
<p>A link to the AIA application form is available by <a href=\"/blogfiles/aia_application.pdf\">clicking here</a>.&nbsp; Email the form to <a href=\"mailto:mswatek@aia-stlouis.org\">Michelle Swatek</a> executive director. Email or call 314.621.3484 for more information.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>";s:11:"field_id_42";s:32:"/images/uploads/helping-hand.jpg";s:11:"field_id_43";s:0:"";s:11:"field_ft_43";s:4:"none";s:10:"category_0";s:2:"15";s:10:"category_1";s:2:"48";}