Architecture Internship

Once a student earns a professional degree in architecture, they must sit for a minimum of three years before they are eligible to take the ARE (Architect Registration Exam). During this three year period, students who want to pursue a career in architecture need to complete an internship program of some form. Students can have experience working in architecture firms as early as high school, however, they still need to participate as an intern in between school and the exam.

When it comes to employment, hours an intern can work per week varies. The first concern is making sure the working hours give a student plenty of time to study, while adhering to employment laws and regulations. The second concern is making sure a student is paid for their time. Most internship’s are viewed as a time when a student ‘works for free’, however, in architecture this is not the case.

In most States, students are allowed to count experience in an architecture firm after their third year in an architecture program, and is allowed to proceed after graduation. One requirement of becoming a licensed architect is that the internship must take place in a setting that will give the intern direct supervision under an architect.

Becoming an Intern

Becoming an intern is similar to becoming an employee of a job. Internships are found in classified ads, online, college and high school career centers and through personal connections. Generally, interns are required to submit a portfolio of design work, as well as a resume. Interviews are usually carried out in the same fashion as any other job too. Most companies, and architecture firms are looking for interns who have the proper experience, fit into their culture and show motivation and dedication to the project and profession. Still, don’t sell yourself short if you don’t have an adequate amount of experience. Lots of firms, large and small, like to hire interns who have little experience. This gives the firm a chance to mold and shape the intern from scratch.

Intern Development Program

The IDP, or Intern Development Program is what many students go for when pursuing an internship program. The IDP offers a comprehensive training program that offers architect students the knowledge and skills required for their career, especially in the early stages. Most internship’s last 3-5 years. A bonus to using IDP is that students can begin their internship before graduation, giving them a head start on the rest of the class. This way, the internship can be completed immediately after graduation. NCARB, or the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards offers IDP to students. Additional resources can be found at The American Institute of Architects (AIA) website, or the NCARB website.

The IDP total application fee is $285, while the annual maintenance fee is $60. If you are a student or have graduated within 6 months of when you established an NCARB Record, you can spit the $285 into two payments, paying $100 to start and paying the rest when you are ready to have your Record transmitted to a jurisdiction or when you request an Authorization to Test for the ARE.

There are certain steps you must take to participate in IDP. In order, they are:

Start an NCARB Record
Request Transcripts
Identify Your IDP Supervisor
Identify Your Mentor
Document Your Experience
Verify Your Experience
Review Your Experience

To learn more about the IDP guidelines, please click here.

http://www.ncarb.org/~/media/Files/PDF/Guidelines/idp_guidelines.ashx

Professional Organizations

Besides joining the IDP, while in schools students are encouraged to join and get involved with professional organizations of architecture. The largest organization is the American Institute of Architecture Students, or AIAS. Membership is open to high school students and college students, interns and professionals from around the world. Plus, after graduation, you are allowed to continue your membership. Interns are encouraged to join the American Institute of Architects, or AIA as an Associate or Member. To learn more about one or both of these organizations, click on their link below.

AIAS- http://www.aias.org/

AIA- http://www.aia.org/

Internship Salaries

Starting salaries for interns varies widely and usually depends on the geographical location, the amount of building activity, availability for applicants, and the capability of the individual applicant. According to the AIA Compensation Survey 12 from 2008, intern salaries averaged $45,400 per year. This figure has risen 6% since the last survey in 2005.