National Intern Day 2022: A Q&A with Elevatus’ Interns
Kaleb Study
What steps should someone take to prepare for an internship in the architecture and design industry?
I think that the most important steps to prepare for an internship are being ready to learn more about architecture and design, I have spent just over a month working here, and I have learned so much already. Another important step is to be outgoing. The worst anyone can say is no.
What are you looking forward to gaining most from your internship?
The thing I am looking forward to gaining from this internship is a wide range of knowledge across different software programs as well as different project types.
What is one word that could describe your internship? Why?
Exciting. Every day I come into work excited about getting to work on awesome projects, spending time downtown, and hanging out with a great group of people.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
The ability to fly. I have been asked this question many times, and I don’t have a reason other than it would be awesome.
Abigail Redick
What steps should someone take to prepare for an internship in the architecture and design industry?
A few steps that I believe someone should take to help them prepare for an internship in the field include creating a resume and portfolio that shows your best work so far, attending a portfolio and resume review to practice presenting your portfolio to professionals, network with professionals in the field through events, join a club on your campus or a local/state club to be able to network, and establish yourself on LinkedIn.
What are you looking forward to gaining most from your internship?
I am looking forward to gaining real experience in the design industry that will bring together everything I have learned in school and strengthen my overall knowledge.
What is one word that could describe your internship? Why?
Investing. I describe my internship with this one word because I am investing my time to learn and grow into the best interior designer that I can be, and Elevatus is investing their time in me and my future as an Interior Designer to ensure that I enter the industry more than prepared to create spaces that better the wellbeing of individuals and the world around them.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could have any superpower, it would be to be able to freeze time so that I could give my best effort for everything I do in life because time would not be an issue.
Taryn Wilson
What steps should someone take to prepare for an internship in the architecture and design industry?
My advice for someone who wants to prepare for an internship is to start networking! It is never too early to start. When I was a second-year architecture student, I had no connections until I went to a Ball State job fair. Even if you do not get an internship from there, it is always a great opportunity to get your name out there. I would also keep an updated portfolio throughout your years as an architecture student because it will save you a lot of time.
What are you looking forward to gaining most from your internship?
During this internship, I wanted to start to understand how architects practice in real life. I also wanted to gain my knowledge in the software that architects use daily.
What is one word that could describe your internship? Why?
I would choose Genuine as a word to describe my internship so far. Everyone is so helpful and understanding. Everyone has been very helpful in gaining my knowledge. The structure of the firm is genuine in a way that is straight to the point but also fun in a way.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
If I could choose a superpower, I would choose to be a telepath. If used in a good way, I think that it could help the world become a better place.
Noelle Quinones
What steps should someone take to prepare for an internship in the architecture and design industry?
In my case it was a lot of networking. It’s all about who you know in a relatively small city like Fort Wayne. I got my name out there, contacted some interior designers directly and landed my first internship after I graduated high school, and now I am a sophomore heading into my junior year with my second internship.
What are you looking forward to gaining most from your internship?
Learning is the most important thing to me right now. My professors are always emphasizing the importance of being in the field and being hands on because that is where you learn most.
What is one word that could describe your internship? Why?
One word to describe my internship would be adventurous, I am experiencing so many different sides of the company. I came into this internship as the marketing intern, but I only had my knowledge of interior design, and now I have a whole new understanding of marketing and how the two go hand in hand.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would choose time travel as my superpower; I would be able to go back in time and learn about different ways of life. I could see people from the past that made history and experience a historical change firsthand.
Dillon Redding
What steps should someone take to prepare for an internship in the architecture and design industry?
A step someone should take to prepare for an internship in the architecture and design industry is to make sure you have the right mindset of helping in any aspect of a project because you will learn so much.
What are you looking forward to gaining most from your internship?
The aspects I was looking forward to the most from my internship were gaining more technical knowledge of the profession and understanding and seeing more of the construction aspects.
What is one word that could describe your internship? Why?
Knowledgeable, because just in the short time I have been here, I have learned so much so quickly.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
My superpower would be to control time. The reason for that is because there is not enough time in the day so if I could control that, I would be able to accomplish more.
AJ Freiburger
What steps should someone take to prepare for an internship in the architecture and design industry?
There are many steps in which you can prepare for an architectural internship. I would draw and sketch more often if you do not now. Ideas come rapidly in the moment so you will want to have something to use to sketch those ideas down. Be ready to work hard and communicate a lot. I would also use your education and knowledge to your benefit. Not all architects are perfect, so it is important to review your work and your peer’s work. I would also do thorough research into the company that you are joining. You want to pick firms based on what they design and offer. You do not want to go to work each day not liking what you design. Lastly, I would brush up on any design programs that the firm or you use. This will help with time management and design process while working.
What are you looking forward to gaining most from your internship?
I am looking forward to becoming a full-time team member once I complete my master’s degree. I have worked at Elevatus for some time now and the overall knowledge I have gained from working on many different projects is amazing. It has furthered my design skills, comprehension of construction processes, and honestly boosted my confidence in being an architect.
What is one word that could describe your internship? Why?
Motivating. I think this word does a perfect job describing the position I am currently in. Elevatus has been by my side through my initial high school internship, undergraduate internship, and graduate internship. I see the way people interact, motivate, encourage, and push one another to be great. I have had some rough patches while working and completing school at the same time, but all the staff have helped me review my designs and keep pushing forward to the end. Having this help makes me take a step back and think of how I want to motivate new incoming team members or interns in the future.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Shape Shifting. This is by far the best superpower, hands down. Any argument against it I think is silly. Shape Shifting can outcompete almost any superpower. One of my buddies said, “Well what about invisibility or flying?” and I responded with “Well what about them? If I need to fly somewhere, I will shape shift into a Bald Eagle and take flight. If I need to be invisible, I will shape shift into an atom, blind to the naked eye.” So here is the point… Whatever you think is the best superpower, shape shifting allows you to combine multiple different superpowers essentially into one.
