Perkins and Will Internship: Shaping the Future of Design
Perkins and Will, a global architecture and design firm, offers internship opportunities that immerse students in a world where design restores, nurtures, and protects life on our planet. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, resilience, diversity, inclusion, and well-being, the firm provides a platform for aspiring designers to contribute to projects that give back to communities. This article explores the requirements, opportunities, and culture surrounding Perkins and Will internships, offering insights for students considering a career in architecture and design.
A Culture of Growth and Opportunity
At Perkins and Will, people are the most valuable asset. The firm prioritizes the well-being of its employees, fostering a culture where happy, healthy individuals contribute to high-performance teams. Connectivity between global studios ensures that colleagues, wherever they are in the world, can access a strong network of support. The firm believes in nurturing leadership potential, offering programs like the Leadership Institute to strengthen and refine leadership skills among emerging talents. A culture of curiosity is fostered through initiatives like the Innovation Incubator, which awards micro-grants to teams researching specific aspects of design.
Experiential Learning and Development
Interns at Perkins and Will are actively involved in various projects, gaining valuable exposure and experience. Their responsibilities may include:
- Revising Revit drawings with mark-ups
- Site analysis
- Schematic design
- Building cost analysis
- Code research
- Design development
- Design detail
- Specifications and materials research
- Document checking and coordination
- Construction documentation
Interns are invited to design and project meetings, onboarding sessions, and client and consultant meetings, allowing them to learn and grow through direct interaction with project managers and senior representatives of the firm. Mentorship and direct collaboration with experienced designers and architects, coupled with access to PW University learning and development resources, provide a comprehensive training experience. Design reviews and critiques further enhance their understanding of building codes and design principles.
Required Skills and Application Process
While knowledge of Revit and Rhino is preferred, Perkins and Will provides additional training to ensure interns are well-equipped. The application process requires a resume and a portfolio showcasing 5 to 10 recent work samples. Applications submitted without work samples will not be considered. The firm accepts applications through March 31, 2026, with interviews conducted between March 15 and April 15, 2026. Internship offers are extended no later than April 30, 2026.
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Compensation and Commitment to Equity
Perkins and Will fosters a diverse and inclusive culture, reflected in its commitment to fair and competitive pay practices. Compensation decisions consider a candidate’s qualifications, including skill sets, education, experience, training, licensure, certifications, and business-related factors. This commitment extends to all employees, influencing merit increases, job promotions, and transfer opportunities. The firm conducts annual pay equity audits and ensures managers are trained in fair pay practices. The hourly pay range for interns in Minneapolis, commensurate with qualifications and previous internships, is between $23 and $26 per hour.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Perkins and Will champions justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, believing that inclusion spurs creativity and innovation. By moving beyond barriers and stereotypes related to gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, the firm strives to build an organization that mirrors the diversity of the communities and clients it serves. Design is viewed as a powerful tool to inspire joy, uplift lives, and strengthen community spirit.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Perkins and Will adheres to an Equal Employment Opportunity Employment policy (EEO) to ensure all employment decisions are made without discrimination based on sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. The firm also complies with local laws and regulations that may provide greater protections.
Pay Transparency
Perkins and Will maintains a policy of pay transparency, ensuring employees and applicants can inquire about, discuss, or disclose their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant without fear of discrimination. However, employees with access to compensation information as part of their job functions are restricted from disclosing this information to unauthorized individuals, except in response to a formal complaint, investigation, or legal duty.
Commitment to Community
Perkins and Will is deeply committed to strengthening local communities through volunteering and resource allocation. The firm supports the physical, financial, and emotional well-being of its colleagues and recognizes the importance of family, offering six weeks of paid parental leave to parents, including domestic partners, for newborn care, adoption, or foster care.
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Embracing Diversity
The firm embraces diversity, welcoming talent from all walks of life, recognizing that diverse perspectives lead to more innovative design solutions. This commitment is reflected in comprehensive health benefits, including those for same-sex spouses and domestic partners, as well as coverage for gender confirmation surgery for transgender employees.
Fellowship and Scholarship Programs
Perkins and Will supports emerging talent through various fellowship and scholarship programs:
- The E. Todd Wheeler Fellowship: Honors a design luminary who transformed healthcare architecture.
- The Phil Freelon Fellowship: Supports African American and other under-represented students through a partnership with the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD).
- The Architecture Excellence and Graduate Architecture Awards for Indigenous Students: Supports reconciliation in Canada through scholarships awarded to students at Laurentian University’s McEwen School of Architecture, matched by Indspire.
- The Cornell Future Architect Award: Provides under-represented high school students the opportunity to attend Cornell’s Introduction to Architecture Program.
- The Black in Design Mentorship Program: Promotes greater representation of Black talent in the design industry through collaboration with the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD).
Perkins Eastman Internship programs.
Perkins Eastman, a global architecture and design firm sharing similar values, offers paid summer internship positions for students. Their college interns are offered a collaborative and congenial work environment with an opportunity to work on projects as fully integrated members of our design teams participating in learning sessions focusing on various aspects of delivering a successful project for our clients. Proficient with software such as AutoCAD, Revit (a plus), Adobe Suite software, Affinity suite software, Visualization. Perkins Eastman is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and a participant in the U.S (United States). Federal E-Verify program.
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