The future of design is here, driven by a new wave of visionary talent. Earlier this year, 31 emerging professionals joined our summer internship program, bringing new ideas and tackling real-world challenges to kickstart their architectural and engineering (A/E) journeys.
Designed to supplement their day-to-day learning, the program unifies interns from diverse disciplines—including architecture, interior design, civil engineering and even human resources—for a more engaging experience that embodies education through action. In addition to working on CPL projects, interns team up on hypothetical assignments spanning our Community and Culture, Healthcare, Higher Education and K-12 Education market sectors, researching client needs and crafting design proposals to meet them. Through this, they hone essential skills in problem-solving, empathy and co-creation, laying the groundwork for career success.
“Cultivating an environment where junior professionals can take initiative is key to our vision for growth,” explained Southeast Region Design Leader Robin Washco, AIA, who co-leads the program. “True learning comes from doing. Our goal was for every intern to become an integral part of the CPL team, building foundational skills while immersing themselves in research and the collaborative spirit that fuels our work.”
Empowering Growth Through Real-World Challenges
This past summer, teams took on a range of real-world challenges, each focusing on critical areas of design and planning through research and conceptual studies. Some of their core focuses included:
- Social Vulnerability Studies: Researching community needs to create urban site plans that address key issues faced by residents.
- Evidence-Based Design Research: Exploring design principles and strategies to envision healthcare environments that could enhance patient recovery and well-being.
- Emerging Trends Assessment: Analyzing new higher education campus design trends to boost student connectivity and wellness.
The teams then translated their research into visual concepts, creating early-stage drawings and renderings to illustrate potential solutions to their respective areas of focus. This hands-on process allowed them to experiment with design ideas, refine their approach, and produce tangible representations of their work.
Renderings for a conceptual Student Success and Wellness Center for a higher education campus were informed by research indicating that joint recreational and mental health services can increase student enrollment. The interns’ design, therefore, integrated these offerings into a single, cohesive campus building.
Collaboration and Cross-Disciplinary Teamwork
Throughout the summer, cross-disciplinary teamwork was key, as interns held regular check-ins with one another and used structured project management tools to emulate true-to-life workflows.
Interior Designer Brooke Ross, a recent college graduate who transitioned into a full-time role at CPL after completing this internship program, described this approach: “The teams all set weekly goals and assigned tasks based on each person’s discipline. We then met virtually through Microsoft Teams to track progress and continue brainstorming together.”
Ross added that the experience really taught them the value of effective communication and knowledge-sharing across different offices—skills real design professionals must use on a daily basis.
Mentorship That Bridges the Gap Between Theory and Practice
Guidance from seasoned professionals enhanced the summer learning experience, with dedicated feedback sessions bridging the gap between academic instruction and practical application. This two-way exchange mutually benefited interns, who refined their designs, and mentors, who gained fresh perspectives on industry trends, nurturing a culture of continuous growth and improvement.
“The coaching we received along the way made all the difference,” Ross added. “It helped translate our theories into actionable strategies, which boosted our confidence and better prepared us to contribute meaningful work.”
To complement their office work and program involvement, participants were also given opportunities to visit project sites and learn more about construction.
Looking Ahead: A Lasting Impact on the Future of Design
Internship experiences like this are poised to have a lasting, positive impact on upcoming design ventures, ensuring our team stays at the forefront of—and even influences—advancements in the industry. The interns’ findings from this past summer have even sparked suggestions for comprehensive master plans that will help achieve client goals, leveraging solutions that are both data-driven and human-centered.
“Investing in the next generation has shown us that they’re ready to rise to the occasion and exceed expectations,” Washco said. “Their passion and enthusiasm mean that the future of design is in capable hands—well-equipped to enrich the neighborhoods we call home. We can’t wait to see what next year’s cohort will accomplish.”
READY TO DESIGN THE FUTURE WITH US? EXPLORE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES >>>
