AG is proud to have team members who have started at the firm as externs and interns, valued professionals who have stayed and evolved into leadership positions. As an employee-owned company, we are proud to have numerous employees who have celebrated 5, 10, 15, and 20+ year AG anniversaries. No matter when and how someone’s career path leads to AG, the firm prioritizes career development. As architectural students consider their career journey, exploring different companies and types of project work supports their decision-making. Experiencing life at an architectural firm firsthand provides valuable insights to help guide them. Externships and internships allow students to gain real-world experience that enriches their education and informs how they navigate the early years of their careers.
AG Externs – A glimpse of firm life
AG’s externship program reinforces the firm’s long-term relationship with the UW-Milwaukee School of Architecture & Urban Planning. It is a week-long program that provides selected students the opportunity to experience an architectural firm—a glimpse of daily life as an architect. The intent is to expose students to AG’s culture and project work. Students learn by observing the design process in action while also completing their own design exercise.
“We typically structure the design exercise around one of our current projects,” describes Senior Associate Justin Koeppler. “Then, we give the students a few days to develop design concepts. Through collaboration and evaluation, we use their concept as a case study to discuss building codes, design insights, construction documents, etc.”
Reinforcing the design exercise, AG team members expose externs to a project under construction through a site visit. This experience takes the process full circle and helps them connect the dots between design, project management, and construction. Finally, the team wraps up the week providing the students feedback on their resumes and portfolio.
Beyond externships, AG offers short, less structured “shadowing” opportunities. This alternative, yet equally valuable experience, allows students the chance to observe an architectural professional’s routines and interactions. Typical shadow days introduce students to the realities of architectural practice and help them understand how projects and teams function. When possible, it also includes a site visit. Unlike internships or externships, the shadowing opportunities may focus on high school seniors looking to explore career options.
According to AG Senior Associate Andrew Alden, “Externships and shadowing are short experiences while internships are longer engagements. While different levels of time commitment, both provide valuable exposure to practice within an architectural firm. Externships often serve as a mutual preview for students and firms, frequently leading to more extensive internship opportunities.”
AG Interns – Gaining valuable hands-on experience
In addition to the week-long extern program, AG supports the future of the profession by offering regular internship opportunities. While the externship offers a glimpse of life as an architect, the internship further immerses students into the firm’s culture and provides valuable hands-on project experience. The AG Team carefully selects students based on specific skill sets so their work can support the collaborative team process. Now, they are doing more than observing. They are working side-by-side with team members. Some interns use their conceptual drawing skills to support the AG Design Team; however, others focus on the production of technical drawings as part of one of the project management teams. While a specific skillset may be leveraged, they also receive cross-disciplinary experience. Furthermore, AG ensures interns are exposed to all aspects of the project process, including team and client meetings, site visits, field measuring, punchlists, etc.
“An internship experience is crucial for growth in the field of architecture,” says Koeppler. “In school, you develop design, representation, and presentation skills with some focus on detailing. In an architectural office, you get to apply those skills to develop more in-depth drawings. Furthermore, you participate in meetings where you interact with clients, consultants, and contractors. This collaboration is an eye-opening experience for students. They witness how concepts evolve based on feedback, challenges, and constraints. Futhermore, they see what it takes to move a project through design and into construction. AG’s approach to internships is about nurturing students. We want to help them understand the importance of continuous learning and see how we are all constantly honing our skills throughout our careers.”
A path to Emerging Professional
Extern and internship programs play an integral role in architectural education. These types of opportunities complement the classroom experience and inform students’ project work as they progress through their studies. The practical experience and exposure to firm life while still in school guide them as they seek an Emerging Professional position, their first post-graduation employment opportunity. In addition to defined extern and intern experiences, AG outlines a development plan for Emerging Professionals to ensure they receive the foundational on-the-job training and experience to support their growth and path to licensure. AG’s expectations for an Emerging Professional include fundamentals in drawing, code familiarity, and product research. They are responsible for the completion of supervised assignments and participating in ongoing training and development. Their roles and responsibilities are structured to build their architectural knowledge and understanding of the project process and industry.
“At AG, encouraging professional growth and development at all levels of the firm is an important initiative,” says Chief Operating Officer Michael Miller. “For our Emerging Professionals, we place a particular emphasis on hands-on, meaningful experiences that connect education to real-world practice. We strive to provide opportunities that help EPs strengthen technical capabilities while developing good professional judgment and solid communication skills. Our commitment to investing in our team not only enhances individual success but also supports our collaborative culture and overall firm development.”
From Extern to Intern – Tamanna Toma shares her professional development journey at AG
How were you introduced to AG Architecture?
I found out about the externship opportunity through UW-Milwaukee. As an international student, it was my first time interacting with local firms and applying for an opportunity in the United States. The AG Team reviewed my portfolio and invited me to be part of the week-long externship program under the supervision of Justin.
How did your externship evolve into an internship opportunity?
UWM hosts a Handshake Program that connects students with firms for internships. It starts with a virtual interview. I had the opportunity to speak with Justin and Andrew. From there, firms can invite you for an in-person interview. I received invitations from several firms, but I chose to visit AG first based on my extern experience. I was offered a position and declined to proceed with the interviews at the other firms. The truth is, I really wanted to work with AG.
What made AG the right fit for you?
I felt comfortable with everyone right from the start. Everyone I met with, no matter their title, made me feel welcomed and part of the team. As an international student, I can sometimes feel like an outsider, but I have always felt at home at AG. Plus, I was interested in all the types of housing projects AG designs.
How have you supported the Design Team during your internship?
While I have been focused on a lot of renderings, I have also worked on floor plans, diagrams, and other three-dimensional drawings for RFPs and client presentations. It has been exciting to use my technical skills in new ways.
Describe your AG intern experience.
Everyone has been so helpful. Team members answer my questions and encourage me to speak up and share my ideas and opinions. I am grateful for the opportunity to work at AG and am appreciative of my supportive team. They have been great mentors. I look forward to applying real-world architectural insights from my internship experience to my school projects this year.
What is your advice to other students considering an externship or internship with AG?
GO FOR IT! You’re going to love it.
“Toma has quickly become a part of our team during her internship,” says Koeppler. “Her work demonstrates a great eye for creating compositions, and her skills have been a great addition to the design team.”
