Student at whiteboard

Internships are on-the-job working and learning assignments – a bridge between college and career.

The primary purpose of an internship is to gain experience while continuing to learn more about the field. Internships are a chance to apply what you have been studying in the classroom in a real work setting. They provide an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of project management and the chance to practice artistic, technical, and interpersonal skills in a professional environment.

Both students in our construction management major and interior design major need to complete internships in order to graduate.

Information for Students

Construction Management

Two internships are required for all construction management majors, allowing you to gain valuable field experience and hone the skills you've learned in the classroom.

Each internship must be both of the following:

  • at least 400 hours
  • at least 10 weeks of work

In the past, students have interned for employers such as:

  • AECOM Hunt
  • Bowen Engineering
  • Buckingham Companies
  • E&B Paving
  • Electric Plus
  • ERMCO
  • Hensel Phelps
  • Messer Construction
  • North Mechanical
  • PCI
  • Pepper Construction
  • RL Turner
  • Shiel Sexton
  • Signature Construction
  • The Whiting Turner Contracting Company
  • Tippmann Construction
  • Wilhelm Construction

One internship is required for all interior design majors, allowing you to gain valuable field experience, apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting, and develop/reflect on new skills/knowledge through the concurrent internship course.

An internship must be both of the following:

  • at least 400 hours
  • at least 10 weeks of work

Students may fulfill the internship requirements through a single internship experience completed during one summer term, or by dividing the required hours across multiple internship experiences over two semesters or summer sessions. 

Please note: Enrollment in the internship course, IDES369, is required concurrently with active internship experience. Students must be registered for the internship course during this semester or summer term in which they are actively completing their internship due to specific course requirements. 

Although the internship course is listed in the eight-semester plan during the summer following the junior year, students may complete the internship experience and course earlier, including summer after freshman year or summer after sophomore year, provided they meet any applicable program requirements as well as internship position requirements. 

Interior design majors have interned at many large interior design and architectural firms throughout the country, many of which are on the "Interior Design Top 100 Giants" list.

Please click here to see where our interior design students have interned.

Interior design interns have been hired in a variety of firms and organizations, each with a unique focus.

The most common activities our interns engage in are:

  • drafting (hand or computer-generated)
  • resource room librarian
  • creating illustrations and renderings
  • developing documents and specifications
  • organizing and arranging a space to suit its function
  • selecting fixtures, furnishings, products, materials, and colors
  • creating interior details

Internship Eligibility

To be eligible for an interior design internship, applicants must be a departmental major or minor in good academic standing.

In addition, applicants must have knowledge of and/or experience in the following areas prior to applying for the internship:

  • four semesters of Design Studio in Residential and Commercial Design
  • AutoCAD, Revit, architectural drafting, modeling, 3-D graphics, art
  • interior finishes, construction materials
  • business procedures

How to Apply

Applying for an internship is a lot like applying for a job. Students seek out their personal and preferred internship opportunities.

Applicants must complete the following steps:

  • decide on target cities for the location of your internship
  • compile a list of firms in the chosen location(s)
  • research firms to determine the level of interest in each firm
  • apply for an internship position at firms of interest
  • interview with the prospective employer
  • complete the online application form for approval.

After reviewing your application, the Interior Design Program Coordinator will either approve the internship or return the application for more information. Once the internship has been approved, you will receive permission to register for the course,  IDES369 Interior Design Internship. Again, the internship must be taken concurrently with the  internship course to assure course requirements are met.

Complete the Application

Following successful completion of the  IDES369 course and interior design internship position, the students will be able to:

  • collaborate with multiple disciplines in developing design solutions
  • contribute to the preparation and production of interior contract documents including drawings, detailing, schedules, and specifications and project deliverables
  • describe the organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities associated with professional interior design practice
  • demonstrate professional ethics and conduct, communication, and workplace responsibilities in a design setting 
  • evaluate career pathways within the interior design profession and identify opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
  • showcase experiential learning opportunities (via a reflection journal submitted each week of the internship) and articulate how it has contributed to professional development, career readiness, and understanding of the interior design profession.