An architecture internship is an excellent opportunity for any future architect to get hands-on experience in their career path, expand their professional network, gain skills and create a portfolio. 

Applying for an internship program in the US will place you directly into the heart of the architectural process. By joining a design team, you’ll develop new skills and polish the skills you’ve already acquired. You can also apply for an international internship program and benefit even more by gaining global experience. Architecture internships are available in architecture and engineering companies as well as in government and construction.

What Do Architecture Interns Do?

As an architecture intern, you’ll be helping the existing team in building models, preparing documents, writing specifications for buildings, and whatnot. You will also learn a lot about project management and how an architectural office is run. You’ll work with clients, collaborate with engineers and consultants, make presentations, design, draft, etc. There are so many options and positions available to choose from. Your specific functionality will depend on the company you apply for an internship.

Architecture Internship Benefits

  • You’ll have better chances of getting a full-time job after graduation.
  • You’ll be working with professionals whose experience and advice you can rely on.
  • An internship is a place to get additional skills and expertise.
  • It is also a place where you can start earning internship credit toward your architectural license.

Architecture Internship Examples

Student Internship with HOK

Paid: Yes

Duration: full-time during the summer; part-time during the school year

Location: Global and UK

Requirements: Currently a college student of relevant specialization; knowledge of drafting and presentation software

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HOK “designs buildings and spaces that inspire people.” The international company offers a range of internships globally, in the US and UK. Currently, there are three US options:

Architectural Student Intern In Culver City, California, Architectural Student Internship for Florida A&M Students in Tampa, Florida, and Interior Design Student Intern in Culver City, California. Check the company’s video highlighting student internship opportunities.

Internships are available in

  • Architecture
  • Interior design
  • Engineering
  • Planning
  • Sustainable design
  • Marketing, etc.

Scholarship + Internship with MOA (2023)

Paid: Yes; $3,000

Duration: full-time during the summer; part-time during the school year

Location: USA

Requirements: Entering the fifth year and graduate-level students, specifically intended for women and minority students “who demonstrate a passion for architecture, high academic achievement, and design ability.“

MOA offers an annual architectural scholarship and paid summer internship award to students currently enrolled in accredited architecture programs. The internship is an excellent opportunity for college students to learn and gain practical experience and stimulate their interest in architecture. The 2023 internship details will be announced soon on the company website.

Summer Internship for Architecture Students at HKS

Paid: n/a

Duration: full-time; summer internship

Location: San Francisco

Requirements: Currently a college student or entry-level student; working knowledge of Revit or other BIM drafting and presentation tools (Rhino3D, SketchUp, Lumion, etc.)

HKS  is an interdisciplinary global design team looking for a summer architect intern to join their San Francisco office. The position will include working with project teams and modifying documents and drawings under close supervision, and performing architectural assignments for the team when required.

Student Internship—Shared Services at Gensler

Paid: n/a

Duration: part-time; summer internship

Location: Dallas 

Requirements: a portfolio and resume (both in PDF); working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud Suite; 3-D computer rendering skills

Gensler is a global architecture, design, and planning company operating in 49 locations worldwide. This summer, they offer a shared services internship where students can get hands-on experience of how a design team operates and try on a role of a design team member, assisting fellow colleagues with vendor data entry and coordination of materials, helping update the library, helping with basic administrative duties, etc. Students will be able to participate in educational sessions and get feedback from mentors, to name a few of the opportunities.

Architecture Internships Abroad 

Paid: Yes; fully hosted, from $2,209

Duration: from 2 to 24 weeks

Location: Valencia, Spain

Requirements: At least one year of relevant college/university; experience with Autocad/Autodesk Revit and/or interior design software; portfolio

Alternatively, you can opt for an architectural internship abroad with InternHQ. For instance, one of the architectural internship programs they offer is located in Valencia, Spain. In the company’s local architecture studio, students can receive guidance and participate in various real-life projects (e.g., renovations to residential and commercial buildings, large construction projects of apartments and commercial buildings, sports fields and facilities, urban planning, and interior design). It is a great opportunity to compare work approaches in architecture outside the US.

A full list of architecture internships for college students in various private companies can be checked here. You can also apply for an internship program offered by your college or university.

The Final Thoughts

Architecture is an exciting career, and an internship will help you gain experience and break into it. After all, there is nothing better than hands-on experience. We hope that our list of internships will be of some help to you while you are considering where to apply for the next year’s internship program.

Additionally, consider applying for a book scholarship if you’re looking for ways to fund your textbook costs. Bookscouter offers scholarships to students, which can help offset the cost of textbooks and other educational materials. Be sure to check BookScouter for more information on how to apply.