Talk of architecture internships has been an ongoing discussion at Archinect. With the rise in fair and equitable work practices for designers at various levels, we've frequently opened our platform to organizations and individuals aiming to shed light on best internship practices, specifically paid internship opportunities.

In December 2019, former Archinect team member and contributing writer Sean Joyner outlined in Archinect's Guide to Job Titles the position of Intern. "Internships act as a salient supplementation meant to deepen the practical education of the up and coming pupil, with an aim for growth and development. But what exactly does an intern do? What do firms look for in an intern? And what characteristics make up a good internship?" 

Firms have been teaming with organizations to increase access and work opportunities for students, specifically students from marginalized groups. While the needle is moving, addressing equitable labor practices is still an ongoing priority. Issues of fair work practices in the U.S. and U.K. have propelled continued investigation in addressing these problems found within professional practice. However, organizations like the Architecture Lobby and Future Architects Front are committed to standing firm and protecting architecture students, recent graduates, and younger professionals looking for fair work practices.

If you're looking for an internship or planning to spend the upcoming holidays to stay informed here are a few resources from Archinect.

Archinect Discussion Forum:

• Do you necessarily have to be a top-notch student to get a job/internship?
• What did you do at your first internship?
• Finding an internship abroad

Archinect Editorial Coverage:

• Get F*^king Paid
• For What It's Worth: Unpaid Overtime Among Future Architects
• Architecture Lobby expresses solidarity with UK's architectural assistants
• The latest NCARB report shows how architectural education changed in 2020
• Unpaid internships 'deepen existing barriers' for emerging architects, says NCARB

As Archinect staff writer Niall Patrick Walsh outlined in an April 2021 feature: "This generation is setting a higher standard for what they should expect from their bosses, their institutions, and their profession." When internships are mixed with mentorship and proper protocols to help aspiring designers grow, it only benefits the industry. Currently featured on the Archinect Job board are paid internship opportunities from ShubinDonaldson, Atelier New York Architecture, MESH Architectures, Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects, and Brendan Ravenhill Studio, to name a few. 

Are you an architecture firm with a paid internship opportunity? Post a job on our job board. Want like to share your internship experience with Archinect? Reach out at connect@archinect.com.