Getting a degree in architecture is the first step to starting a career in this field. While this education will teach you the key skills and knowledge you need to become an architect, though, there are some aspects of the field that can’t be learned in school.

An internship is the best way to experience what day-to-day life is like in an architecture or design firm. For most students, becoming an intern is a necessary step between completing their degree and taking their first full-time position. There are a variety of internship opportunities out there. The right one for you will depend on your career goals and what kind of projects you ultimately want to work on. Let’s take a closer look at internships for architects to help you identify the best opportunity for you.

Benefits of architecture internships

In architecture, book learning can only get you so far. Hands-on experience applying these concepts is a critical step in the development of your architecture skills, and that’s exactly what you get from an internship.

An internship gives you the chance to apply the concepts you learned as a student to a real-world project. You’ll practice creating drawings, 3D models, and other renderings, in the process gaining a deeper understanding of the right ways to present these ideas to clients or construction teams. Interns also gain familiarity with the tools and software of the trade, as well as developing their expertise in building designs and the basics of building structures and construction.

Maybe the most valuable aspect of an internship, though, is that you’re not doing all of this on your own. Interns work alongside established professionals in an architecture firm. These individuals can serve as mentors, not just during the internship but as you embark on your career after it’s over.

Developing relationships with both architects and their clients gives you a head start on building your professional network. Architecture is one of those fields where knowing the right people can be a huge help when you’re looking for employment. The networking you do as an intern paves the way to find out about job opportunities, not just at the company where you do your internship but with other architecture firms. After all, the people on this firm’s team have their own professional networks, and may know about open positions that you wouldn’t find otherwise.

From a practical standpoint, an internship is the easiest way to gain that crucial first work experience for your resume. Employers often don’t want to take chances on a brand new professional who just graduated architecture school. This can leave recent graduates feeling like they’re trapped in a catch-22, where they need experience to get experience. An internship fills in this gap, allowing architecture students to apply for jobs with confidence, knowing they’re ready to face the demands of the profession.

What do architecture interns do?

There are a variety of tasks in a typical architect’s day-to-day work, and the same is true of interns. An architecture intern is essentially the modern-day version of an apprentice. In past centuries, a person who wanted to become an architect wouldn’t go to a university. Instead, they’d get training on the job, working under a master architect to learn everything they needed to know about the industry.

While architects today go to college first, an internship still gives them this type of apprentice environment. Someone who’s employed as an intern will do many of the same things as a full architect but under the watchful eye of a supervisor. For example, an intern may go on site visits, conduct project research, create renderings, working drawings, and physical models, attend client meetings, or carry out project revisions. Often, they’ll work on these tasks in collaboration with colleagues and clients, giving them a chance to develop their communication and teamwork in addition to technical skills of the trade.

The specific responsibilities of an intern vary based on a number of factors, including the size of the firm, as well as the strengths, weaknesses, and experience level of the individual. For example, someone doing a summer internship as a college sophomore will likely do fairly basic tasks under full supervision, while someone interning after graduation will often have a role more similar to a full-time employee.

Types of architecture internships

In a big-picture sense, there are two types of internship: paid and unpaid. There are more differences between these two choices than the compensation they offer. Paid internships tend to be more competitive, for one thing. The time commitment is also normally higher, both on an hours per week basis and when it comes to the total length. The job description of a paid internship usually looks more like a full-time job, and there is a lot of overlap in responsibilities between entry-level architecture employees and paid architecture interns.

Internships can also be grouped based on the type of work the intern does. In some organizations, interns get experience with every area of the business. In other companies, they’ll have a narrower role. Some common types of intern include:

• Model making intern – These individuals help create drawings and prototypes, gaining hands-on experience with how modeling works.
• Property development intern – In this role, you’ll visit potential sites, research developments, interview clients, and help with writing plans. This is ideal for gaining experience on the project management side of the industry.
• Building design intern – These interns handle a variety of tasks, from developing concepts to creating client presentations, and often get experience with areas like interior and landscape design, as well as overall project development.
• Architectural design intern – This role is ideal for seeing the day-to-day operations within an architecture firm. Responsibilities can range from assisting with research and client presentations to working with construction teams and gaining first-hand experience with building regulations.
• Urban planning intern – These individuals can work for architecture firms or public departments, and take on tasks such as conducting surveys, reviewing site plans, and other work related to the optimal use of land and its impact on the community.

Steps to apply for architecture internship opportunities

The first step to making the right choice in an internship is knowing what type of opportunity you’re looking for. Consider your interests and career aspirations, as well as your current strengths and weaknesses. If you know you struggle with 3D rendering, for instance, getting an internship where you can learn this skill from experts will meet your needs better than a role focused on the regulation or client communication side of the industry.

Once you know what type of internship you want to get, you can start your search for relevant opportunities and prepare your application. Here are some tips for navigating that process.

Building your architecture internship portfolio

An architecture portfolio is your chance to showcase your unique perspective and aesthetic, and is the best representation of your potential as an architect. As a student, you won’t have any completed projects to showcase, but you can include your drawings, renderings, and other work you’ve done in the classroom.

A portfolio should include a minimum of three projects, and more if you have them to include. Choose projects that demonstrate your range, while also tailoring them to the firm that you’re applying for. If you’re not sure which work to include in your portfolio, get some advice from a professor or mentor who can guide you to the projects that best showcase your ability.

Where to find architecture internships

Many university architecture programs offer internship opportunities to their students. If you’re currently in school, your architecture college is a good first place to check. Even if they don’t have an official internship program, the professors and administration will be able to share resources and make recommendations to help you find the right internship.

You can also find internships in the same places that you would look for architecture jobs. This can include attending career fairs or looking at online employment marketplaces like LinkedIn or Indeed.

Membership organizations for architects can also be a great source of opportunities. For example, the American Institute of Architecture Students has summer programs, conferences, and a career center that can be valuable resources. The American Institute of Architects also has a job board and hosts events like the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design that can be an excellent place to connect with potential employers.

The architecture internship application process

The application process for architecture internships can be long. It’s smart to start looking for these opportunities well in advance of when you’d like to start, up to six months ahead of time for competitive, paid opportunities. Larger organizations may have application deadlines several months prior to the start date, so make sure you pay attention to when those materials are due.

It’s also important to remember that you’re not the only one seeking an internship. Some prestigious or large firms will get thousands of intern applications for a limited number of positions. Because of this, it’s smart to apply to multiple opportunities, at least 10-15, to increase your odds of landing one.

The specific steps to apply for an internship are usually very similar to applying for a job. Read the internship posting carefully to make sure you’re following their requirements to the letter. The application normally involves sending your resume and portfolio, and may have other steps to follow, as well, such as sending professional references.

Tips to stand out in an architecture internship interview

If your application catches a firm’s attention, then you’ll be added to their short list of candidates to interview. This may take place face-to-face or through a video call platform like Zoom or Skype. The interview is your chance to show your personality, along with explaining more about your skills, experience, and career goals.

If you haven’t already, make sure to research the firm before your interview. Look into their past projects, the types of clients they work with, and other pertinent details about how they operate. This will allow you to speak more clearly to how you would fit into their organization as an intern and how well you align to their culture and needs.

Interviews can be stressful, but proper preparation can help you calm your nerves so you can show off your best self. If there are other students in your program applying to internships, you can get together to practice interviewing. There are also websites where you can get this practice, or you can work with your mentor or professors to prepare for the questions you’ll likely be asked.

Remember, too, that the interview is a two-way street. You should have some questions for the interviewers, as well. This gets back to doing your research into the role and company. Ask informed questions about their history, the details of the position, and their expectations for a successful intern.

Finally, make sure that you’re physically prepared for the interview on the day of. Get plenty of sleep the night before, stay hydrated, and don’t let yourself skip meals because of nerves. If the interview is in person, plan to arrive early so that you won’t be late if you get lost or have other issues on the way. If it’s an online or phone interview, test your equipment in advance to make sure your sound, camera, and internet connection are in working order. The better prepared you are, the higher your odds of successfully landing the opportunity.

FAQs about architecture internships

How much do architecture interns make?

As was mentioned above, there are both paid and unpaid versions of architecture internships. The pay for an intern varies depending on their experience level and the time commitment of the role. While the average salary of an intern is around $59,000 per year, the specific amount covers a wide range, from around $40,000 per year on the low end to $85,000 a year or higher.

Can an architecture internship lead to a full-time job?

Yes, they absolutely can. Some firms regularly hire former interns as full-time employees after the term of their internship is over. Even if the internship doesn’t directly lead to a role in this way, having an internship on your resume can be a big advantage when you’re going out into the job market.

How competitive are architecture internships?

That depends on the firm and the nature of the internship. In general, paid internships with prestigious, well-known firms will be the most competitive, and may receive thousands of applications each year. Unpaid internships with smaller firms will often draw fewer applications, but you will likely still need to compete with at least a few other applicants for the position. This is why it’s a smart move to apply for multiple opportunities.

How long do architecture internships usually last?

The length of an internship program varies widely depending on the organization. Some programs last only a few weeks, especially those that are designed for students to complete over the summer between terms. Others last for a year or longer. Make sure you clarify how long the internship will last when you’re considering your options to make sure you choose one that will be a good fit for your life and career progress.

What’s the next step after completing an architecture internship?

That depends somewhat on what stage you’re at in your career journey. Some people take internship positions while they’re still enrolled in an undergraduate program. Others complete their first internship between undergraduate and graduate school, or after they’ve earned their degree as their first step into the employment landscape.

One consistent thing you should do after completing an internship, regardless of where you are in your career, is to strengthen the connections you made during it. Before you leave, exchange contact information with the people you met at the firm, and connect with them on platforms like LinkedIn. This will allow you to take full advantage of the internship as a networking tool, along with the experience and knowledge you gain from completing it.