If architecture keeps catching your attention in school, an internship introduces you to the work behind it. You see how architects break down a design problem and how each piece of work connects to something larger. It becomes easier to picture what an actual career in the field might involve.
Why choose an architecture internship?
Architecture internships also introduce you to digital tools like drafting programs or simple modeling software. You might help with early research, collect reference material, or test a small concept under a mentor’s guidance. That kind of work shows you how architects approach problems and how projects develop beyond drawings in a notebook.
By joining a program like this in high school, you start understanding what studying architecture in college might feel like. You also develop something substantial that could become part of your college applications and resume later.
With that, here are 15 architecture internships for high school students to explore! You can also check out summer architecture programs for high school students here.
15 Architecture Internships for High School Students
1. ACE Greater New York Mentor Program
Location: A host firm or university in Manhattan, Queens, White Plains, Brooklyn, Long Island, or Riverdale; remote options are also available
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Over 2,300 students participated in last year’s program
Dates: Late October to May; some cohorts start in January
Application Deadline: Applications close in October
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 from NYC, Westchester, or Long Island can apply; no prior experience in construction management, engineering, or architecture is required
ACE Mentor Program is a nonprofit that helps high school students explore architecture, construction, and engineering with guidance from professionals in the field. ACE GNY runs during the school year and places students in teams of about 25 students and 15–20 mentors. Mentors include architects, various types of engineers, and construction managers. You’ll learn industry basics, try design software, and get a sense of different career paths. Once you understand the fundamentals, your team will work on a mock design project and present it in May to an audience that includes families, mentors, and industry leaders. The program will give you a close look at how design and construction work in real offices and on job sites, including behind-the-scenes visits to active construction areas.
2. Summer Exploratory Experience in Design (SEED) Internship by Sasaki Foundation
Location: Hideo Sasaki Foundation, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $16.25 per hour
Cohort Size: 45 students participated in last year’s program
Dates: July 7 – August 15 (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 17 – April 25 (tentative)
Eligibility: Current high school students who are residents of Boston or the Metro North region
The Summer Exploratory Experience in Design (SEED) is a six-week paid internship for local high school students who want hands-on exposure to the design world. Throughout the summer, you’ll work on a group project, join Sasaki professionals in design charrettes, and build skills in hand sketching and computer drawing. You’ll work with designers and learn about architecture, urban planning, urban design, interior design, and landscape architecture. You’ll study the types of questions designers ask, the tools they rely on, and the techniques they use every day. You’ll also interact with professionals who can share insights about their work and career paths. You’ll explore Boston and nearby areas, meet experts across design fields, pick up new technical skills, consider future career options, and complete a team project guided by both youth participants and design professionals. You’ll also strengthen your resume and expand your professional network.
3. NYC School Construction Authority (SCA) High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Various locations across New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $16.50 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: The internship runs for six weeks between June and August, with timing based on your placement and assignment
Application Deadline: March 7 (tentative)
Eligibility: New York City public high school students in good academic standing and eligible to work in the U.S.
The SCA Summer Internship Program (SIP) offers paid internships for NYC public high school students who want to learn about the business side of construction. You’ll be matched with an SCA department or a partner organization and will get to explore fields such as architecture, construction management, engineering, IT, urban planning, business, and public administration. You’ll work 30 hours a week, spending four days on-site and one day in panels, workshops, and a design challenge. Your tasks will depend on your placement and skills and may include updating spreadsheets, joining meetings, organizing files, doing online research, and sometimes visiting construction sites. You’ll be paired with a college mentor who will support you throughout the internship. You can check out current opportunities here.
4. Chicago Architecture Center Teen Fellows Program
Location: Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded | Students earn a stipend for the summer internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: Runs across three semesters: Summer #1 (6 weeks), Fall (6 hours for 14 Saturdays), Spring (6 hours for 16 Saturdays), and Summer #2 (a paid internship)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who attend a Chicago high school
The CAC Teen Fellows program is a 15-month opportunity that introduces Chicago high school students to architecture and design. The program aims to expand access to architecture and design for women and underrepresented groups in related fields. It spans three semesters, starting with a six-week summer session and continuing through the school year. You’ll take college courses at Harold Washington College and earn dual credit with CPS and City Colleges of Chicago. You’ll also work on physical models and design projects that focus on local issues. The program will help you build a strong foundation in design tools like AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino, Illustrator, Revit, InDesign, and Photoshop. You’ll visit architecture firms and important sites around the city and get the chance to apply for a paid summer internship at a local architecture or design firm.
5. Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) Arch/Design High School Internships
Location: Local architecture firms in Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; varies depending on the number of firms offering internships
Dates: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: Applications open on February 20
Eligibility: Boston public high school students in grades 9–12
The Architecture/Design High School Internship is a six-week program run by the BSA and BSA Foundation with support from the Boston Private Industry Council. It gives Boston public school students paid, hands-on experience at local architecture firms through the Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program. You’ll work on real projects, join site visits, and pick up skills in drawing, 3D modeling, and presentations. The program will also help you develop soft skills like teamwork, time management, and personal growth. Alongside your Monday to Thursday internship, you’ll take part in the Summer Fridays series, which includes neighborhood tours, a firm crawl, and a final share-out of your work. Each participating firm brings its own style and focus, so returning students get a fresh view of the architecture field every summer.
6. Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) Program by Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
Location: CMAP’s office at the Old Post Office in downtown Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn a stipend
Cohort Size: 34 students
Dates: 5-day program; July 15 – July 17, July 22, and July 23 (tentative)
Application Deadline: June 2 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders and recent high school graduates who live in or attend school in Cook, Kane, Kendall, DuPage, Lake, McHenry, or Will counties in northeastern Illinois
The Future Leaders in Planning Program is a free leadership opportunity for high school students offered by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. You’ll learn about urban planning through interactive workshops led by CMAP staff and partner organizations. The sessions cover topics like city design, housing, public transit, sustainability, community development, and environmental protection. You’ll work on hands-on projects that focus on real issues in the region and explore career paths in public policy, transportation, government, and related fields. The program will help you build your leadership, communication, and advocacy skills as well as strengthen your resume. You’ll earn a certificate of completion and can request an optional letter of recommendation. You’ll also meet peers and mentors, visit local sites, and become a more confident listener and presenter.
7. Architect of the Capitol (AOC) Summer Internship Program
Location: Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 12 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: November – January
Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school, trade school, college, or another qualifying educational institution
The Architect of the Capitol Summer Internship Program offers current students paid opportunities to explore federal careers while continuing their education. The AOC cares for the historic buildings, artwork, monuments, and gardens across the Capitol campus, supporting Congress and the Supreme Court. You can work as an Architecture Aide, Engineering Aide, Communication Aide, IT Aide, Audiovisual Aide, Horticulture Aide, Gardener Aide, Law Aide, or Visitor Assistant Aide. As an intern, you’ll spend 12 weeks on site, gaining real experience, joining tours, connecting with other interns, and learning directly from professionals. This internship will allow you to learn how architectural ideas are used in real projects and help you build useful skills alongside experienced staff.
8. Architectural Foundation of San Francisco (AFSF) Build SF-MYEEP
Location: Various locations across San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $19.18 per hour
Cohort Size: Last year, more than 30 students participated in the school-year program
Dates: The program runs during the school year, from September to May
Application Deadline: September 5 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th-grade students who are San Francisco residents and can obtain a work permit
The AFSF Build San Francisco Mayor’s Youth Employment & Education Program is an after-school internship that gives eligible high school students paid work experience, STEAM job training, and personal development support. As a participant, you’ll use professional software to work on real projects both on your own and with a team. You’ll also spend one day a week being mentored by an architect, engineer, or other tech professional at a private firm. During the program, you’ll develop your communication skills, learn advanced software tools, grow as a teammate, and get a solid introduction to STEAM workplace expectations. You’ll build strong digital literacy skills in Build SF-MYEEP. The program will teach you the competencies needed for today’s workplaces and introduce you to the wide range of STEAM careers you can pursue.
9. DPR Construction Build Up High School Internship
Location: Multiple active construction sites across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn an hourly wage each week and also receive transportation stipends
Cohort Size: 38 students participated in last year’s program
Dates: The internship runs for eight weeks, with exact dates based on the specific placement
Application Deadline: April 18 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who come from families earning below the HUD Median Family Income for the area and are legally eligible to work in the U.S.
DPR Construction’s Build Up Internship in Construction Management allows high school students to work on a major commercial construction project alongside a project team. You’ll work 35 to 40 hours a week and learn how large projects are planned, scheduled, and managed, as well as explore how design and technology shape the work. Throughout the internship, you’ll help coordinate with subcontractors, update schedules and site plans, assist with quality checks, manage documents, and complete required safety training. You’ll prepare a final presentation at the end of the eight weeks, which will help you build confidence speaking in a professional setting and become comfortable receiving feedback. You’ll also meet mentors in engineering, architecture, and construction, and get real experience working on an active construction site.
10. Sasaki Foundation’s Designing Environmental and Social Impact (DESI) Internship
Location: Hideo Sasaki Foundation, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $16.25 per hour
Cohort Size: 10 students participated in last year’s program
Dates: January 6 – April 25
Application Deadline: October 1 – November 7
Eligibility: Students in grades 11 and 12 who are residents of Boston or the Metro North region
The Designing Environmental and Social Impact (DESI) program is a semester-long paid internship for local high school juniors and seniors. As an intern, you’ll work on an independent project rooted in your own community while exploring social and environmental issues that affect the area. You’ll learn to sketch, use design software to bring your ideas to life, and communicate your work clearly. A mentor from the design industry will guide you throughout the project, introduce you to different design careers, and help you connect with community organizations doing related work. During the program, you’ll gain new design skills, build your resume, and grow your professional network. You’ll also meet designers across the field, explore Boston and nearby areas, and get a better sense of possible career options.
11. BSA Arch/Design Thinking Week
Location: BSA Space, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: 43 students participated in this year’s program
Dates: February 17 – February 20
Application Deadline: Application information will be available in January
Eligibility: Boston public high school students in grades 9–12
Architecture/Design Thinking Week allows Boston public high school students to explore architecture with guidance from local architects. This four-day February workshop takes place at BSA Space, where the galleries turn into a temporary design studio for drawing and model-making. You’ll learn about the field, build design awareness, and explore potential career paths. The program is a collaboration between the BSA, PIC, and four local architecture firms. Designers from HMFH Architects, Goody Clancy, Finegold Alexander Architects, and Sasaki support each day of the workshop. You’ll work on a design prompt, pick up new skills, and practice sharing your ideas during the final Share Out. Many past participants have gone on to opportunities such as the BSA x PIC Architecture/Design High School Internship, the Sasaki Foundation’s SEED program, and other partner programs.
12. Young Women’s Design and Building Institute by Girls Garage
Location: Girls Garage, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: 32 students (16 students per session)
Dates: June 16 – June 20 | June 23 – June 27
Application Deadline: February 1 – March 1
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive youth entering grades 9–12 can apply; priority is given to students from the Bay Area who have limited financial resources or few similar opportunities at school or in their communities, youth of color, and students who identify as BIPOC
Girls Garage’s Young Women’s Design and Building Institute is a week-long, hands-on program for rising 9th–12th-grade girls and gender-expansive youth. The program brings together participants from different backgrounds to work as a team and build a real project for a local nonprofit. Past groups have created furniture for homeless shelters, wind sculptures for preschools, parade floats for SF Pride, sandboxes, and similar community-focused pieces. You will develop your creative and technical STEM skills through welding, carpentry, architectural drafting, applied math, and screen printing. You’ll also participate in conversations and readings about community, identity, and the importance of making. The program is led by a team of experienced builders, artists, educators, and architects, including Augusta Sitney, Emily Pilloton-Lam, Allison Oropallo, Maya Vilaplana, HyeYoon Song, and Bethany Kaylor.
13. Center for Architecture’s Discover Architecture Program
Location: Various architecture firms across New York; the final event is held at the Center for Architecture in New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: 3 students per high school
Dates: February 17 – February 20
Application Deadline: January 4
Eligibility: New York City high school sophomores and juniors can apply; No prior experience is required, and priority is given to students who attend NYC public schools
Discover Architecture is a hands-on career exploration program for NYC high school students, run by the Center for Architecture and the American Institute of Architects New York. The program takes place during the public school mid-winter break from 10 am to 3 pm. You’ll spend three days at a local architecture firm, where you’ll attend project meetings, observe how architects work, and experience daily office life. On the last day, you’ll visit the Center for Architecture for a final event where you can share your experience and talk about what you learned. Last year’s program partnered with firms such as Allied Works, Architecture Outfit, Architecture Research Office, DATTNER Architects, DLR Group, Design Republic, Gensler, HLW International LLP, Marble Fairbanks Architects, Matiz Architecture & Design, and others.
14. Enterprise for Youth Internship Program
Location: Various locations across San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $20 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 10 – June 14 (Pre-internship training week) | June 17 – July 26 (Internship); the internship expo will be held on July 31 (tentative)
Application Deadline: March 1 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students
Enterprise for Youth is a San Francisco nonprofit that helps high school students build job skills and gain paid work experience. Its Internship Programlets you try out fields like architecture, nonprofits, retail, healthcare, small business, culinary arts, tech, and climate careers. Internships run about 75 hours and start with a pre-training week in June. You’ll visit worksites, attend weekly workshops, and take part in the Climate Career Summit. You’ll also meet with a job coach each week for tailored support. The program will help you practice interviewing, networking, and job searching while building confidence, teamwork, and goal-setting skills. If you’re interested in architecture or design, current internship hosts include the Children’s Creativity Museum, the San Francisco Art Institute’s City Studio, and the San Francisco Planning Department. After your internship ends, you’ll continue to receive mentorship and career planning support. You can apply online, stop by the Career Lab, or connect through your school if it partners with the program.
15. National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Project Pipeline
Location: Multiple locations across the United States
Cost: Varies for each city; limited financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Different sessions run between June and August; some cities also offer weekend boot camps during the school year
Application Deadline: Varies by city; each city has its own Project Pipeline website, which can be found here
Eligibility: Students of color enrolled in grades 6 to 12
NOMA’s Project Pipeline summer camps allow 6th to 12th-grade students of color to explore architecture and design. You’ll work with architects and designers to create projects that reflect what you want to see in your community. You’ll also get guidance from mentors in the field. During the program, you’ll explore ideas through drawing and model building, look deeper through diagramming and research, and learn from interviews and site visits. By the program’s end, you’ll present a complete project that tackles an issue in your city. Project Pipeline supports a diverse group of students who are underrepresented in the design world.
One more option — Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive, mentored research program option in areas like urban planning, sustainability, materials science, or data-driven analysis, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! It’s a selective online program where you can dive into advanced research and write a paper on a topic of your choice. Horizon has worked with over a thousand high school students and offers more than 600 research specializations. You can access the application link here!
Image Source: BSA logo