Internships and Residencies
Start strong with real-world experience
That’s how Brynn McClatchy — AAD’s 2025 Outstanding Undergraduate Student — began her journey to becoming an architect. During her internship with 3North in Richmond, she jumped in and gained hands-on experience and confidence, especially in working with people. “I learned a lot while watching design professionals break down their thinking so that clients, or other colleagues, could understand,” McClatchy said.
More reasons to say ‘yes’ to an internship
Internships and residencies are where your classroom learning meets professional practice. In addition to making your résumé stand out, here are some benefits you’re likely to walk away with:
- Try out a career — and a company — for fit
- Add real projects to your portfolio
- Build your professional network
- Turn classroom skills into practical know-how
- Grow your confidence
- Open doors to future jobs and opportunities
Taking a swing in the world of landscape architecture
Landscape architecture major Connor Nguyen was a rising sophomore when he teed up his future career while attending the American Society of Landscape Architects conference. He connected with a representative of KoontzJones Design in Pinehurst, North Carolina, which led to an internship and then a job offer. The right opportunity — and the right introduction — can land you exactly where you want to be.
Make Chicago or Boston your classroom with a residency
Interested in taking your design education beyond Blacksburg? Our residency programs in Chicago and Boston offer the chance to live and learn in dynamic urban environments while gaining real-world experience in the field.
These semester-long programs blend studio work with firm visits, guest lectures, and immersion in the city’s architecture and culture. You’ll connect with alumni and professionals, build your network, and develop a stronger sense of how design happens in practice — all while immersing yourself in the energy and complexity of a major city.
Graphic design majors are required to complete an internship. Joshua Lennick interned with Visual Appeal LLC, where he designed a branding package, created assets for a social media campaign, and built a new website. “The most important thing that I learned from this experience that will help me in the future is teamwork. Graphic design is in no way an easy thing to do, and you need to collaborate with peers along your journey for a project.
Looking for a short-term internship? Do a W_Internship!
Thanks to partnerships between architectural firms and the university, the W_Internship program provides interested students with a paid two-week professional experience in January before spring classes start.