In architecture, learning never stops. The leap from theory to practice is essential for every architecture student, and internships are the key to making that transition. These immersive experiences allow students to step out of the academic bubble and into the dynamic world of design, where they can develop the practical skills needed to succeed in a highly competitive field. Internships open the door to a new world of knowledge while allowing students to apply their talents.

Eight University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design students took these opportunities over the summer to immerse themselves in the industry, tackle real projects, form a professional network, and build up their skillset.

Insherah Alhajrasi

Fourth-year Architecture Student

As an intern at Pfluger Architects, Alhajrasi’s first day included a trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The introductory experience helped her understand architectural design influences in creating unique experiences for visitors, helping her gain an appreciation for Plfuger Architects’ mission to “inspire people to create a more meaningful human experience.”

While working at the firm, she was assigned K-12 projects and participated in all stages of project development, including creating schematic diagrams, assisting in design documents, and participating in client meetings. She worked on drafting plans, producing digital and physical models, and attended site visits to help ensure projects were on track, including collaborating with engineers and consultants.

Alhajrasi leaned on the techniques and knowledge she learned at the Hines College to help her create diagrams for analysis, make models, and utilize programs like Rhino and Climate Studio to contribute to projects. Now, she will look back on her experience and apply it to her school work.

“The knowledge I gained in detailing and construction processes will help me create more practical and executable designs,” said Alhajrasi. “Understanding project budgets also allows me to better manage resources and plan projects more efficiently in both my studies and future career.”

To maximize her learning experience, she asked questions, sought feedback, and took on additional responsibilities. As students enter the field as interns, she advises them to also network with professionals and fellow interns because they are valuable connections that can provide insights to help them move forward in their career journey.

Olivia Arguello

Fifth-year Architecture Student

Arguello worked as a member of the Lifestyle Studio at Gensler with a focus on hospitality projects. In the Houston office, she developed conceptual work, created diagrams, assisted in creating design packages for clients, and attended meetings. Her projects ranged from full master plan designs to design initiative proposals. All the work was also balanced by a community she said she was “lucky enough to experience.” Gensler hosted socials to celebrate their interns all summer with festivities for the Olympics, Taco Tuesdays, and more.

Her internship also included a special project addressing housing and reducing homelessness in Houston, led by Hines College alum and adjunct faculty member Travis Mohle (B.Arch. ’17, M.Arch. ’23). She collaborated with seven other interns to develop Hope to Home, a proposal situated just north of the University of Houston Downtown to create resources and support systems for the community and homeless population.

“At Gensler, by working and observing others, I was learning anything from project management, client communication, and using new design software,” Arguello reminisced.

She had drawn on her experiences in class to help her approach her work critically and to help her problem-solve creatively. “I’ll use these skills to stay organized and effective during my last year and future jobs, ensuring I handle projects well and work smoothly with others.”

To land an internship, Arguello’s biggest advice for students is to put themselves out there and attend as many career-related events as possible, including networking events, portfolio reviews, and mentorship programs helping students to prepare themselves for interviews and build professional relationships.

“While having a beautiful portfolio is important, the key is how you present the story and passion behind your projects.”

Miguel Carrion

Fourth-year Architecture Student

While working at Arc Three, Carrion contributed to residential and commercial projects during schematic design and design development stages while producing renderings to communicate projects visually. He also helped create presentations for design award submissions to showcase the firm’s previous work. One memorable moment from the internship for Carrion was presenting in front of the firm for an internal sketch competition. He spoke about the architecture of the Paris Olympics that included a challenge for everyone to quickly sketch buildings he discussed.

While he applied the know-how he obtained from his studio experiences to work, his learned ability to communicate efficiently through design allowed him to feel like he seamlessly fit into the team. Carrion grasped new insights by watching how the team at Arch Three Studio collaborated and prepared for projects, from charettes and sketching sessions to 3D modeling and drafting.

As he applies what he learned over the summer to this semester, he encourages students to start looking for internships now.

“Be on the lookout for opportunities through the Career Fair, Cougar Pathway, and on LinkedIn. Have a resume, and a portfolio so recruiters can see the work you have done in studio and your electives.”

Joanna Ibrahim

Third-year Architecture Student

Ibrahim has a lot to be proud of from her internship at the Houston Airport System (HAS) — she had the opportunity to present one of her interior buildout designs for the Supply Chain Management office at Bush Intercontinental to senior staff, including the CEO, COO, and Director of Aviation at HAS. The feedback from stakeholders and approval by the system’s board resulted in an incredible experience that she cannot wait to see come to life.

Her work for HAS also included creating joinery drawings for the new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Station at Bush Intercontinental. She worked with clients, airport staff, partner firms, and contractors for other airports in the system, including Hobby and Ellington airports, and learned the importance of collaboration and teamwork through her internship. Because of the many layers and divisions of the system, she learned to navigate complex systems and improved her design documentation.

“My design experience in school provided a strong foundation in technical drawing and conceptual development, which was invaluable during my internship,” she added. “I could apply my knowledge of tectonics, materiality, and spatial design directly to real-world projects.”

Had Ibrahim not put herself in professional networking situations, she would have never known the airports had their own in-house architects. “A chance encounter eventually had me working alongside them this [past] summer,” Ibrahim recalled.

Once starting their internships, Ibrahim believes students should observe how others work as much as possible and connect with people on different teams and divisions to expand their abilities. Entering a new environment can also be overwhelming and intimidating for young professionals, but Ibrahim shared reassurances: “Do not be afraid to make mistakes or ask questions; you are there to learn, and those architects were in your shoes once, too.”

Tessnim Mohammed

Fourth-year Architecture Student

A UH Energy Scholar student, Mohammed interned with the U.S. Department of Energy for ten weeks at the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Taking on an internship in a different city also allowed Mohammed to experience life away from home. On her off time, she explored Pittsburgh and went to baseball games and watched the Pirates.

At work, she conducted full-time research in a restricted lab on extracting rare earth elements that make emerging technologies and material science more sustainable. The work included collaborating with federal employees to test new affordable and accessible tools for detection and extraction. Mohammed used her knowledge about sustainable design methods learned at the Hines College to help her with her internship.

Not only did she learn more about the workings of a lab, but Mohammed also walked away with more motivation to finish her studies and pursue her passion for sustainability. As a result, she also encourages her peers to try something new and possibly add another layer to their design practice.

“I learned how to overcome challenges and push myself to continue to learn new things every day. There is always something new to learn — you just have to be open to putting yourself out there,” she expressed.

Andrea Moscoso

Fifth-year Architecture Student

Interning at Kirksey Architecture, Moscoso worked on two large building projects and contributed by making corrections to detailed wall sections. She also became more involved in the design process of a smaller project at the firm where her responsibilities included modeling, conducting code analysis, developing schedules, and working on plans, sections, and elevations.

Most of what Moscoso worked on were completely new experiences for her, but she credits her strong foundation at the Hines College with helping her get up to speed on learning new software and adapting to different workflows.

“School projects taught me how to think critically and creatively, which helped me approach challenges during the internship,” Moscoso explained. “Also, the collaborative work I did in school prepared me to effectively communicate with my team in a professional setting.”

As a result of her summer internship, Moscoso now grasps software, including Revit and Bluebeam, while learning the ins and outs of building codes and design documentation. After working on so many projects, she also strengthened her skill in managing multiple tasks and deadlines.

Moscoso believes a strong portfolio is essential for applying for an internship, and she advises students not to “hesitate to apply for your dream firm.” Once students have their foot in the door, she advises them to stay curious and always ask questions to learn even more.

Chris Odolski

Fifth-year Architecture Student

During his internship at eStudio Architecture, Odolski worked on many retail projects at the Houston Galleria. This experience also led to working on other mall projects in Austin and preparing construction documents for restaurants at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport.

“The most memorable moments for me in my internship experience were my site visits at the Galleria,” Odolski said. “I was able to experience the direct real-world environment of construction and bring our work to life as an architect.”

What helped Odolski the most during his internship were technology courses at Hines College that deepened his technical understanding. Now in his final year at school, the experience at Estudio Architecture deepened his design skills and helped him understand the importance of considering the clients and end-users of the final product.

For students seeking to gain experience through internships, Odolski recommends engaging in studio as much as possible to advance school projects for portfolios. Because internships can be highly competitive, he also recommends looking at alternative avenues to gain real-world experience, like research jobs. Working in industries adjacent to architecture, like construction, could also offer even more insight.

Maria Olivia Ramos

Fifth-year Architecture Student

Ramos interned at Project Luong, where she worked on commercial and multi-family residential projects. Her experience involved attending coordination meetings, helping draft drawings, and using software to 3D model and produce renderings.

“It was fun getting to do a little bit of everything this summer,” she said, also recalling that her favorite memories include participating in site visits to see projects come to life. At one visit, she learned about how a project repurposed timber from the existing site and influenced the engineering and construction of the structure, which then impacted the architectural design.

As a student about to graduate, Ramos is well-seasoned in the process of reviews and juries for school projects. Learning to talk about her designs ultimately helped her confidently present and explain her work in the real world, as well as her understand how to receive feedback and implement changes to her work.

Aside from using what students learn in the classroom, Ramos advises them to keep an open mind and absorb as much as possible. She encourages them to show up “confidently with the skills you have and know that the tools are there for you to grow.”

Looking forward to her future, she will carry what she learned from her internship forward. Ramos concluded, “I learned how architects adapt, collaborate, and coordinate with the entire team throughout the span of a project. In the future, I hope to take this knowledge to become a more well-rounded, informed, and considerate designer.”