Architectural internship should be a period of time in which the intern is exposed to as many different facets of being an architect as humanly possible. Architectural internship should recall a time of the past in which the architect was well versed in many areas. Architectural internship should produce better and brighter architects as a result of its implementation.

First and foremost, internship should be very challenging and stimulating for the intern. Being fresh out of college, where the intern is constantly pushed to the limit, the intern is eager to learn and wants to be exposed to as much as possible. The same type of intense learning environment that occurs in the university setting should be available in the practice setting as well. The practice environment should elevate the intern to a higher level of learning. If not, then internship is merely a waste of time.

Second, there are many aspects of architecture to which the intern should be exposed. The intern needs to spend time with clients so that he or she can begin to develop their people skills and learn how to develop relationships with clients. Interns need to know how to use the CADD system effectively. They also should be able to sketch upside-down on a napkin to communicate their design thoughts and ideas to a lay person. They need to know when to use the CADD system and when to draw or sketch by hand to communicate their ideas. Interns need to be able to assemble a building's many pieces and parts with ease and confidence. Interns should have a thorough knowledge of the building codes and should add to that knowledge on a regular basis. Interns should participate frequently in continuing education of some sort. Interns should be taught how to communicate clearly and effectively with others. They need to be taught how to make well-informed decisions, sometimes very quickly. Interns should volunteer their time and somehow give back to their community. All of this comes with time, knowledge from others, and experience. It doesn't just happen overnight.

Third, the intern should be trained in ways that make him or her better than the person who trained them. Many people today are afraid of this idea and feel that if they train an intern to be better than themselves, then, one day that intern will "steal" their job away from them. This idea is absurd. In fact, the intern should be able to one day take over the job of the person that trained them, as sooner or later people either move on or retire. A firm should not experience too much of an interruption in their daily way of working when someone leaves or retires. This can only happen if those left behind are well prepared for the road ahead.

Internship requires a lot of time, patience, and explanation of things and ideas. Without the willingness of someone to take on the task of training an intern, then time is just wasted.