Externship Program

A person gestures at their computer while two people look on

Maria Jose (center) meets with KieranTimberlake architectural staff Ben Morris and Helen Farley.

Overview

The Stuart Weitzman School of Design is pleased to offer an externship program for architecture, city planning, historic preservation, and landscape architecture students. An externship is similar to an internship in terms of the scope of the work and the expectations of the student. The main difference is the length of time spent working. Typically, externships last from 1-2 weeks and run during winter and spring breaks.

What are the important dates?

September/October: Firm Registration Due
End of October/Early November: Student Applications Due, Student Profiles Sent to Firms
November: Firm Choices Due
End of November/Early December: Matching is Completed, Matched Student Workshop

Externship Program

The Weitzman School of Design Externship Program equips architecture, city planning, historic preservation, and landscape architecture students with real world experience by taking their learning outside of the classroom. This allows students to expand their range of skills while connecting with working professionals. The sponsoring firm gains an opportunity to engage with the constantly evolving pedagogy of academia while also cutting back on recruiting time as the externship can act as a precursory interview for a summer internship.

Possible benefits to participating in an externship include:

Having a unique opportunity to complement a formal education with a jumpstart to their career by gaining marketable work-experience
Contributing to the design process by utilizing various software platforms
Working with and shadowing a designer during the week
Attending meetings and presentations
Touring work sites

Some of the firms participating in the Weitzman School Externship Program pay a small stipend to student externs. Students will be responsible for any travel or housing arrangements, meals, and any related expenses. There are a limited number of travel stipends available for students who apply.

Externship dates for 2027: December 28, 2026 – January 18, 2027 and March 8 - March 12, 2027.

International Students

In order for international graduate students to participate in externship opportunities that are longer than one business day, regardless of whether the opportunity is paid, or unpaid, international students must be approved for CPT (Curricular Practical Training) before the externship begins. Full details about CPT can be found on the ISSS website. Information about using CPT for the externship program can be found on the Weitzman website.

Application

Students are required to complete an application form including a short essay describing their goals for participating in the Externship Program and how it relates to their course of study or career goals. Students must also submit a curriculum vitae and sample portfolio.

Matching Process

Following an application process, students will rank their top five firms based on descriptions provided by the firms. The firms will then be provided with the profiles of students who are interested in their office and will be able to choose their top five choices as well. Matches will then be made based on mutual selection.

Externship Site

Externship sites will be communicated to students via email. Past participating firms: Bishop Land Design, BLT Architects, Curtis + Ginsberg, Ewing Cole, FX Collaborative, Gensler, Handel Architects LLP, HOK, Hollwich Kushner, Jacklitsch/Gardner, Kieran Timberlake, MGA Partners, Payette, Perkins Eastman, Perkins + Will, R2L Architects, Related Companies, SOM, Studio Skaggs Kennedy, and Warren Techentin Architecture.

Testimonials

“You get a sense of what to expect in the real world.”

“Why wouldn’t you do an externship? In my mind there’s no downside to doing it. Maximize your break, get out there and see what the firms have to offer, make connections, and also be productive.”

“Be sure to attend any events that are coordinated while you're there. There were several opportunities to attend software tutorials, presentations, and site visits that I found worthwhile in addition to working on a singular project.”

“I had a great time. I would highly recommend this to all my peers.”