Demo

Summer 2026 Architectural Student Intern

Progressive Companies
Durham, NC Intern
POSTED ON 2/26/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/26/2026

The Progressive Companies Summer Internship Program is a paid, full-time experience where classroom learning meets real-world impact. You’ll dive into hands-on projects, sharpen your problem-solving and communication skills, and gain a front-row seat to the world of architecture, design, engineering, and construction. Along the way, enjoy community outings, wellness events, service-learning projects, and lunch-and-learns that fuel both your career and your curiosity.

As an Architectural Student Intern, you will work collaboratively with design architects, project architects, and project managers to assist in all aspects of the building design process, including preparation of presentation materials, schematic designs, design development, and contract documents using Revit, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchup, and InDesign.  You will also participate in model building, rendering, and construction administration activities.
 
Responsibilities:

  • Contribute to the project team to ensure they achieve project schedules and budgets. 
  • Manage multiple projects in a timely and accurate manner, monitoring overall project progress according to the project scope and available resources.
  • Provide documentation services for final architectural plans, elevations, sections, and details consistent with Progressive’s standards.
  • Assist in the preparation of building models and detailed contract documents consistent with Progressive Companies’ standards.
  • Provide design analysis consistent with Progressive Companies’ standards.
  • Check for Code Compliance information as it relates to the discipline and any affect it may have on other disciplines.
  • Collaborate with various disciplines throughout Progressive Companies.  Regularly communicate with Project Designer(s), Project Architect(s) and/or Project Manager(s) to understand any modifications to project design, scope, schedule, and budget.
  • Understand what the deliverable needs to be to meet your client’s project needs and what it takes to make projects successful.
  • Use design software/technology, including Revit, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchup, InDesign, and other emerging technologies for presentation and production purposes.

Qualifications:

  • Enrollment in a NAAB-accredited architecture program required.
  • Basic knowledge of the architectural design and documentation process. Basic knowledge of architectural building systems. Basic knowledge of sustainability and other trends in the design/construction industry. 
  • Willingness to learn and participate in the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) processes. 
  • Basic knowledge of applicable codes (and willingness to learn) along with ability to assist in conducting research for requirements that may need to be incorporated into technical documents. 
  • Knowledge of construction materials, methods, sustainability, universal design, and other trends in the design and construction industry.
  • Attention to detail with an emphasis on quality work products and client service, demonstrated through your competencies. 
  • Ability to express a passion for building and maintaining client relationships and providing exceptional customer service in a team environment. 
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including preparing and performing presentations. 
  • Strong design skills demonstrated in portfolio, as well as the ability to clearly articulate design solutions. 
  • Knowledge of SketchUp, Revit/AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign are required. Experience in producing construction documents preferred. 
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook required. Experience in Project, SharePoint, and Teams preferred. 

People Matter

Each individual’s background, knowledge, ability, and experience contributes to strengthening our organization and projects. Our dedication to diversity includes company provided training and education, equitable recruitment, a grassroots employee DEI committee, and robust community partnerships.

Progressive Companies is comprised of people with a variety of abilities, races, colors, religions, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, veteran statuses, and more. As an equal opportunity employer, we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements of innovative design. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
 
Transforming Spaces. Empowering People. 

The talented professionals of Progressive Companies are designers of a bold new future, creating high-performance structures and pathways, delivering on today’s needs and preparing for what’s to come. We live by the idea that design isn’t simply about beauty, it’s about improving strategic outcomes—what we call Performance Based Design. Our work spans across the nation, allowing team members to work on a variety of exciting projects and maximize impact as trusted partners to our clients and communities. 
 
Sustainable and Inclusive 

We are dedicated to human-centered, sustainable, and inclusive design practices. We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to building trust, respect, and truly innovative design making spaces welcoming and accessible to all. Our sustainability approach embraces the AIA 2030 Commitment, together with a range of high performance, restorative, and regenerative strategies with a focus on climate responsive results to maximize positive impact in our industry.
 
Employee Owned 

We act like owners—because we are. From modest beginnings of four original engineering partners in 1962, to almost 300 architects, engineers, designers, and consultants across multiple regional offices today, the energy, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurial mindset you expect from a CEO come standard with every team member. 
 
Culture of Excellence 

The firm is continually ranked as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation®, with comprehensive benefits including an award-winning wellness program, hybrid work schedule, summer hours, profit-sharing, and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). We take our work seriously, but have fun along the way, which fuels the creative spirit and supports a focus on work and life integration. 
Progressive Companies is committed to development and growth of team members through continuing education, mentorship, growth opportunities, and more. We are dedicated to giving back to our communities, with paid service-learning hours available to every employee and corporate sponsorship for a wide range of community organizations and activities. 

Hourly Wage Estimation for Summer 2026 Architectural Student Intern in Durham, NC
$38.00 to $48.00
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