Over a decade ago, TSW Planners, Architects & Landscape Architects formalized an internship program designed to give architecture, landscape architecture and community planning college students and recent graduates an interdisciplinary work experience to help them transition from college to the workforce. The Atlanta-based firm offers paid summer and one-year internships in their Atlanta, Chattanooga and Oklahoma offices, and works with a select number of universities to choose students who are a good fit for the program.

“Many university architecture and landscape architecture programs include internships of one semester to a full year, and we can accommodate students for either timeframe,” said Bryan Bays, PLA, TSW principal and director of the firm’s Landscape Architecture Studio. “However, we prefer year-long internships so each student can fully immerse him or herself in each of our three disciplines and learn how to integrate aspects of landscape architecture, commercial and residential architecture and community planning into a cohesive whole. I participated in Purdue University’s year-long internship program when I was a student and the hands-on learning opportunity was extremely valuable to me. I’m pleased TSW has been able to partner with Purdue, UGA, Georgia Tech and other universities to provide similar opportunities for their students,” he said.

Student interns are typically selected after completing several years of study and mastering many of the technical skills required for their intended fields. Each intern is fully integrated into TSW as a team member and has the opportunity for client interaction, site visits, community and contractor meetings and hands-on design work. The interns work side-by-side with TSW professionals who guide them as they offer ideas and sharpen their skills, and they receive academic credit for their work.

UGA graduate Anna Shoji was hired by TSW’s Landscape Architecture Studio following her internship at the firm. “I interned at TSW while I was working on my Landscape Architecture thesis,” said Shoji. “The staff was very open to sharing information and answering questions, and the hands-on experience was valuable as I transitioned from academic to professional life. I would tell any potential or current intern to ask questions and take advantage of as many professional experiences as you can. Internships are a wonderful way to help you find your passion and define your path.”

“I think two of the most valuable benefits we offer our interns are teaching them how to collaborate with other professionals and how to design for real world functionality,” said Bays. “They learn how to work with clients, city planners, contractors, transportation professionals and other designers. As they work on specific projects, we help them learn how to take into account building materials, soil composition, zoning, environmental issues, client budgets, community design traditions, accessibility and so much more ,” said Bays. “It’s one thing to draw a beautiful building, town center or public park, but it’s another to design something that’s aesthetically pleasing, serves the clients’ needs and is able to function as it was envisioned. We believe we have a responsibility to mentor and help train tomorrow’s designers and planners,” said Bays, “and to pass along the accumulated knowledge our firm has acquired during our 30+-year history. Many members of our team benefitted from the wisdom of teachers, mentors and colleagues. We’re just paying it forward.”