Navigating a career in AEC marketing can often feel like being a small fish in an enormous pond of subject matter experts. Many AEC marketers find themselves working on lean teams of only a few people, or sometimes as the sole marketing professional at their firm. Meanwhile, colleagues in technical roles may have clearly defined promotion tracks and long-term career paths laid out in front of them. This contrast can make it difficult to understand where you fit, how to grow, and what the next rung on the ladder looks like for marketing professionals in the industry.

This is where SMPS becomes an invaluable support system, and the Marketers Take Flight podcast serves as a convenient, on-the-go companion for professional growth. Acting as both encouragement and guidance, the podcast offers listeners reassurance that they are not alone in navigating the challenges of AEC marketing. It provides insight into how others have faced similar uncertainties and successfully carved out fulfilling career paths.

Mentorship is one of those words that everyone agrees is important, yet its true impact is often underestimated until you experience it firsthand. In our industry, where relationships, strategy, confidence, and timing matter just as much as technical skill, mentorship can be the difference between feeling stuck and feeling empowered.

There’s nothing quite like spending an evening surrounded by stunning mountain views, AEC friends, and a tower of giraffes (yes, that’s really what a group of giraffes is called). This fall, SMPS Colorado headed to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for a behind‑the‑scenes look at one of the most exciting construction projects in the Pikes Peak Region: a $40 million expansion of the giraffe exhibit.

Someone recently told me, “You either hate to lose or love to win.”

I sat with that for a while. Eventually, I decided—I love to win. Losing isn’t great, but when I searched for evidence, I thought of my bedroom wall display of medals from races I’ve finished, Finisher Medals. They hang from a piece of driftwood I found on a beach in Hawaii. With a little Pinterest inspiration, I added nails across the face, perfect for hanging medals, even the ones every finisher receives.