10 Architectural Engineering Internships for High School Students
TL;DR
This list covers 10 architectural engineering internships for high schoolers, ranging from hands-on construction jobsite experience to design studio work at architecture firms and regional or federal government placements. Most are free to apply to and pay a stipend, with hourly rates typically between $15 and $21. Program lengths range from a few days to six or eight weeks, though one program requires a 15-month commitment. Several of these internships are tied to a specific city or region, so eligibility is often limited to local students, while one option is fully remote and open to applicants anywhere.
If you like the idea of designing buildings that are safe, comfortable, and efficient, architectural engineering might be a field worth exploring early. Internships in this area are offered by federal agencies, engineering firms, and professional organizations, in both in-person and online formats. As an intern, you will explore the link between architecture and engineering, diving into how a building looks and also how it stands up, stays comfortable, and uses energy. The experience can help you see if the field is something you would want to explore in college and beyond!
Why should you do an architectural engineering internship?
Architectural engineering isn't a subject most schools teach, so many students don't really know what it involves until college. An internship can give you a look at the day-to-day work, whether that's designing structural systems, planning heating and cooling, or figuring out how to light a space well. You will see how engineers and architects collaborate, and how a design on paper gets adjusted to meet budgets, building codes, and real-world limits. This is also a low-risk way to find out which part of the field appeals to you most, since the discipline covers structures, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and construction management. Additionally, you will connect with professionals who can help you understand what the college and career path in the field looks like.
How do you apply for an architectural engineering internship?
First, check each program's eligibility, since many are open only to certain grade levels, and look at deadlines, costs, and whether the program is online or on-site. Applications typically include a short form, your transcript, and a few written responses about why you're interested. Some of the programs also ask for a teacher recommendation or a sample of your work, so give yourself enough time to collect these materials. If you don't have formal experience, don't worry. You can point to relevant math and science classes, art or design projects, model building, or even a sketch of a space you'd redesign. Additionally, our guide to applying for internships without any experience can be your next read. As spots can be limited, try to apply early. You can also use our guide to getting architecture internships to know what to expect!
In this blog, we have put together 10 architectural engineering internships for high school students so you can find one that fits your interests, location, and schedule. We have focused on opportunities that place you in real workplaces to build a network of professionals and take on real architectural engineering projects.
If you are also looking for opportunities in related fields, check out our selection of construction internships and architecture internships.
Internship overview
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost/Stipend |
Best for |
|
Construction and fieldwork internships |
DPR Construction Build Up, NYC School Construction Authority Internship |
Free; hourly wages of $17 and up available |
Students who want paid, on-site experience at an active construction jobsite alongside project teams |
|
Architecture firm and design Studio Internships |
Sasaki Foundation SEED, Miller Hull Partnership Open Studio Seattle Summer Internship, Boston Arch/Design Internships, Center for Architecture's Discover Architecture, Chicago Architecture Center Teen Fellows |
Free; stipends of $15 – $21/hour available |
Students who want to work on design projects or shadow professionals inside an architecture or design firm |
|
Government and urban Planning internships |
Architect of the Capitol Summer Internships, CMAP's Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) |
Free; stipends available |
Students interested in architecture or planning work within a federal or regional government agency |
|
Remote internships |
Cost varies with financial assistance available |
Students who want a fully virtual internship and the chance to work with a startup |
1. DPR Construction Build Up High School Internship
Location: Various DPR sites across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; hourly wage and transportation stipends available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; specific dates TBA
Application deadline: TBA for the next cycle
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, or students graduating in May with a family income below 80% of the HUD Median Family Income for their counties; students must be legally entitled to work in the U.S.
The Build Up High School Internship is an eight-week, in-person program focused on construction management and architecture. You will spend 35 to 40 hours each week working on an active construction jobsite under the guidance of mentors, participating in quality inspections and site walks, supporting subcontractor coordination, learning jobsite safety practices, tracking project documents, and helping update schedules and site plans. You will complete a Capstone Project and work on building workplace skills like communication and teamwork through project-based learning. The program will also introduce you to careers in architecture, construction, and engineering, as well as academic pathways in these fields, while offering exposure to construction technology and day-to-day project management.
Who it’s best for: Students seeking paid work experience on an active construction site and the opportunity to collaborate with mentors in architecture, construction, and engineering.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can participate from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts every year, including Fall, Summer, Spring, and Winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; Fall (September), Spring (January), Summer (May), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10 to 20 hours a week for 8 to 12 weeks; open to high school, undergraduate, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious high school students! Through the program, you will work with a high-growth startup on an internship. Startups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from AI/ML and tech/deep tech to journalism, health tech, marketing, consulting, and more. Ladder’s startups are high-growth companies that, on average, raise more than $1 million. You will work closely with a manager on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually eight weeks long. Apply now!
Who it’s best for: Students looking for hands-on exposure to the startup environment within a fully virtual setup.
3. Chicago Architecture Center Teen Fellows
Location: Chicago Architecture Center and Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially specified
Dates: June 22 – May 8 + an additional summer (15-month program; Summer 1: Six weeks of programming + fall and spring Saturday sessions + Summer 2: Paid internship or extra coursework)
Application deadline: March 31 (based on past cycle); applications will open in November.
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors who attend high school in Chicago or the surrounding area; applicants from outside Chicago can apply, but City Colleges of Chicago scholarship tuition is available only to Chicago residents and dual enrollment credit is limited to CPS students.
Teen Fellows is a 15-month program that lets you explore architecture and design careers, work alongside industry professionals, and earn college credit. You will attend college courses at Harold Washington College and earn City Colleges of Chicago credits. You will also study Chicago’s built environment and how it changes over time. You will build physical models, develop design projects, and begin building a personal portfolio, using software such as SketchUp, AutoCAD, Rhinoceros, Revit, Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. You will visit architecture firms and architecturally significant sites. In the final summer, you may intern at a local architecture or design firm.
Who it’s best for: Chicago-area high school students who want college-level, hands-on experience in architecture and design and can commit to a 15-month schedule.
4. Sasaki Foundation’s Summer Exploratory Experience in Design (SEED) Internship
Location: Sites in MA; exact site varies each year
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies each year; ~45 students in the past cohort.
Dates: July 6 – August 14
Application deadline: April 22
Eligibility: Student in grades 9 – 12 in Boston or the Metro North region; priority is given to applicants from Malden, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Medford, Revere, or Somerville.
Sasaki Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the design firm Sasaki, offers high school students opportunities to work on real design projects under the guidance of architecture and urban design professionals. During the six-week internship, you will be assigned a site and come up with design ideas alongside peers to improve the utility and layout of the given space. You will have access to the mentorship of designers and architects throughout the program. Your project work may involve conducting social, environmental, and cultural analysis of the assigned site, working with design software and tools, and creating visual renderings of site plans. The program will also offer opportunities to practice hand sketching and computer drawing.
Who it’s best for: Massachusetts students looking for paid, mentored exposure to architecture and design.
5. Architect of the Capitol Summer Internships
Location: Architect of the Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: 12-week summer internship; exact dates vary based on the opportunity
Application deadline: Typically, January; applications open in November
Eligibility: Students in high school, college, trade school, or another qualifying educational institution who are at least 16; requirements can vary for each internship.
The Architect of the Capitol is a federal agency that preserves, maintains, and develops the landmark buildings and grounds of Capitol Hill. It offers several internships to students interested in gaining architecture-focused experience and exploring federal careers. The exact responsibilities will vary based on the role you choose. To explore architecture or design, you can apply for the role of Architecture Aide, which offers opportunities to contribute to tasks such as renovating/repurposing old spaces, rendering images of the Senate office buildings, and developing fact sheets for House office buildings. The internship can also be a chance to gain exposure to classical architecture.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in securing a paid architecture-focused work experience at a federal agency.
6. Miller Hull Partnership Open Studio Seattle Summer Internship
Location: Open Studio, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend of $21.30/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to just one student
Dates: July 27 – August 21
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their junior or senior year; internship is meant for under-resourced students.
Offered by the Miller Hull Partnership annually, the Summer Internship at Open Studio is designed to help you explore the inner workings of a design firm. As an intern, you will spend four weeks shadowing professionals and engaging in tasks focused on architectural research and conceptual design. You will also record your contributions as an intern and compile them into a portfolio, which you will present at the end of the summer internship. The experience can offer you a glimpse into the workload of architects and opportunities to build an early network.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for a paid internship within a design studio who can commute to work in Seattle.
7. New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Placements at SCA departments and partner companies + construction site visits, New York, NY
Cost: Free; stipend of $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially specified
Dates: July 6 – August 14
Application deadline: March 6; application opens on January 5.
Eligibility: Students enrolled in New York City public high schools who are in good academic standing; consent of a parent or guardian is required for construction site visits.
This is a six-week paid internship run by the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) for NYC public high school students. You will join an SCA department or one of its business partner companies, such as an architecture, engineering, or construction firm, to engage in in-office assignments and fieldwork depending on the host and your skill set. You will spend four days a week working with your host and the fifth day engaging in educational programming, which will include career and college workshops, panel discussions, and design challenges. A college supervisor will monitor your progress throughout. You will get the chance to network with industry professionals, fellow interns, and staff during the week and during supervised visits to construction sites.
Who it's best for: NYC public high school students interested in architecture, engineering, construction management, or public administration who want paid work experience.
8. Boston Society for Architecture & Boston Private Industry Council’s Arch/Design High School Internships
Location: Architecture firms in Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – August 14
Application deadline: Not specified; internship applications open on February 20.
Eligibility: Boston public school students in grades 9 to 12
Arch/Design High School Internships are six-week opportunities for Boston students to work at architecture firms. During the internship, you will explore architecture and architectural engineering through site tours and project work. You will learn about architectural design and urban planning through tours on “Summer Fridays” every week. You will also have the chance to develop design and 3D modeling skills. The program will let you connect with architects, engineers, designers, and contractors. At the end of the internship, you will deliver a presentation, sharing your summer experience with peers.
Who it’s best for: Boston students looking for a paid hands-on experience at a local architecture firm.
9. Center for Architecture’s Discover Architecture
Location: Architecture firms in New York, NY; closing event at the Center for Architecture, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None specified; details TBA for the next cycle
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: February 16 – 19
Application deadline: Not specified; application information will be available in the fall.
Eligibility: Sophomores or juniors in high school who live and attend school in one of the five boroughs of New York City; priority goes to students attending NYC public schools.
Discover Architecture is a career exploration program for New York City high school students, offered by the Center for Architecture and the American Institute of Architects New York. You will spend three days as an extern at a local architecture firm, where you will learn about the work of practicing architects firsthand. Firms that have previously hosted students include Gensler, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), and HLW International. On Friday, you will return to the Center for Architecture for a closing event where you will share your experiences with the rest of the cohort.
Who it's best for: New York City students who want to explore what working in an architecture office is like in a short, accessible format.
10. Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) Program
Location: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) office, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Week 1: June 23, 24, 25, and 26; Week 2: June 30
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students or recent graduates who live and study in Kendall, Cook, McHenry, DuPage, Lake, Kane, and Will counties in Northeastern Illinois
FLIP, run by CMAP, is a five-day program designed to help you learn about urban planning and regional planning. As a participant, you will explore concepts like community development, urban design, urban planning, environmental planning, water supply, transportation, and sustainability through sessions, activities, and site visits within Chicago. FLIP offers insights into topics related to architectural engineering, like urban planning and design, helping you build an early foundation in the field. You will also get to connect with CMAP’s planning experts during the program and learn about issues in Northeastern Illinois.
Who it’s best for: Students in Northeastern Illinois looking for a short introduction to urban planning and design.
What skills can you pick up in architectural engineering internships?
Depending on the program, you may get introduced to design software such as AutoCAD, Revit, or SketchUp, which are widely used in the industry. You will likely practice reading and sketching basic plans and/or building physical models to test how different structures handle loads. Math and physics come into play too, so you will see how concepts like forces, geometry, and energy apply to real buildings. Beyond the technical aspect, you will build skills in teamwork, since projects will let you work with peers and professionals, as well as learn how to present your ideas clearly and work with feedback. Many programs can teach you to think about sustainability, such as how a building's materials and layout affect its energy use.
Can an architectural engineering internship help with your college applications?
The experience can have a valuable impact on your college applications, especially if you're aiming for engineering, architecture, or construction-related majors. Admissions teams like to see that you've explored your interests beyond the classroom, and an internship in a niche field shows initiative and genuine curiosity. Leaving with a completed design project, model, or portfolio piece can make your application more concrete, and some architecture programs specifically ask for portfolios. The experience can give you strong material for essays and interviews, since you can talk about a problem you tackled and what you learned from it. If you build a good relationship with a mentor or instructor, they may be able to write you a detailed recommendation letter. To strategically use your experience, check out our guide on how to use high school internships to boost college applications.
Common questions about these architectural engineering internships
1. Will I actually design or build something, or mostly shadow professionals and observe their work?
This varies by program. Some internships have you contributing directly to design projects, physical models, or active job sites, while others are structured more around shadowing professionals, touring facilities, and learning how the field works day to day.
2. How much do these internships pay?
The pay varies by program. Several internships come with stipends or hourly wages roughly in the $15 to $21 range, and one even offers college credit to high school students. A couple of options are unpaid, with one offering full need-based financial aid to cover the participation fee.
3. Will I work on an independent project, or support a team working on an existing one?
Both of these formats are available. Some internships on the list place you on an existing project team, where you support ongoing work like a renovation or site development, while others have you developing your own concept or design, sometimes individually and sometimes in a small group. If you are looking to work on a project with a startup, Ladder Internships offers fully remote project-based experiences to high schoolers.
4. Do I need to be a certain grade level to apply? How competitive can the admissions get?
Eligibility by grade level differs across programs. Some are open starting in 9th grade, others are limited to rising juniors or seniors, and a few are restricted to students graduating within a specific timeframe, so it's worth checking each program's requirements individually. Competitiveness also isn't consistent across the list. One of the programs accepts just one student per cycle, while others do not publicly disclose their acceptance numbers.