After five or more years in school, most students of architecture are ready to unleash themselves on the real world. With dreams of an ideal building project they attack their first job with the enthusiasm, determination and resolve that only a new grad can possess. The architectural internship is about discovery as much as it is about determination. It is about asking questions as much as it is about taking initiative. Most importantly it is about continuing to learn all that is encompassed in the architectural discipline and extending instruction beyond the classroom. Simply put: to make an internship what it is truly meant to be it takes UNDERSTANDING the process of interning and that position within a firm, KNOWING what is an attainable goal based upon expectations of you and by PRODUCING results that far exceed those expectations.

Understanding

An intern knows that they will learn a great deal but they are not aware of how quickly they get started learning. An intern is not merely the one responsible to do odd jobs and tasks that few have the time or patience to deal with, but rather a person who's real job is to get their feet firmly planted in an office setting and prepare to learn everything that floats their way. The Understanding of this concept will lead to the intern becoming more confident and will help to ease nervous tension about what will be asked of them. So as a first step, an architectural internship should be preparing for the process and completely Understanding the journey they are about to embark upon.

Knowing

Just like Understanding what the process of interning entails, one must feel confident in Knowing what is asked of them and then strive to far surpass that expectation. Problems in internships arise when young designers get disgruntled with their lack of responsibility, and feel as though they could be doing so much more than is being asked of them. Why not try your best to really Know everything that you are working on so that others can see competency and determination. Western linear thinking precludes us from taking this to heart when what we really need to envision is the finish line and the starting line in the same thought.

Producing

An architectural internship is a chance to learn and engage others in architectural discourse but it is also the time to show what you are capable of. Architecture graduates are some of the most well rounded learners and balanced students. They are capable of great things and this can be proven in the practice setting. Speaking up and being vocal, taking initiative, finishing on or before deadlines; all of these show your capabilities as an architect and your willingness to proceed through the architectural internship program.
Taking in to account Understanding, Knowing and Producing will transform the mindset of an intern and ultimately create the ideal internship experience.