Learn about Finegold Alexander's approach to the Architecture/Design High School Internship program.
High school intern, Xintong modeling in the firm's recently completed project at Tufts University.
Image Credit: Finegold Alexander Architects
Each year, the Architecture/Design High School Internship invites firms to host high school interns for a 6-week architecture experience. High school interns, Boston Public School (BPS) students (Grades 10-12), are immersed into the fundamentals of architecture, the design process, and their first professional experience. For the program’s duration each July-August, firms host the interns in the office 3-4 days per week with all interns gathering on Fridays with the BSA. All firms are supported by program partners, the Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) and the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC), who aim to provide early career pathways for local youth. This year's program is supported by the AIA College of Fellows.
During this summer’s internship, the BSA stopped by host firms to hear from interns about their experience and connect with design professionals involved in the internship. We’ll be chronicling lessons from the visits through our Firm Profile series and encourage you to follow along.
Finegold Alexander began participating in 2022 as a supporter of the program, hosting 1 intern each summer since. As a Just Label firm, participating in the high school internship and its feeder program, Architecture/Design Thinking Week, are extensions of their commitment to forwarding the profession.
This summer, the firm hosted Xintong Guo, a rising BPS senior and returning high school intern. After her internship at Finegold Alexander last summer, she continued to explore her interests in architecture by participating in the AIA K-12 x BSA Boston High School Design Challenge and ACE Mentors Greater Boston.
With multiple summers under their belt, Finegold Alexander has developed a system that works for interns and staff supporting the internship. They shared that their program hit its stride once they fully honed in on the high school perspective, tested out what could be most useful for the 16-18 age group, and encouraged staff to get fully involved.
During their 4 in-office days, the intern’s time is spent developing their own design project (50%) and learning from the firm’s project teams (50%). This strikes a balance between the intern’s independent work time and facilitated sessions. As the internship approaches, the internship supervisors survey the firm’s current work, select key projects to highlight across design phases, and find ways to incorporate lessons from each into the intern’s design project.
This year’s project prompt asked the intern to focus on a pocket-park nearby to the office, learn about the site, and select program based on site needs. The independent project provides the intern time and space to develop their own ideas and test new skills, while also providing a platform for staff to check-in, review concepts, and provide feedback. The intern’s workspace, near two emerging professionals on staff, also allows for near-peer connections, feedback, and assistance on learning new skills.
The project teams highlighted during the internship aim to provide the intern with a real-world, comprehensive view on architecture. The intern spends time with a new project team each week to learn about the project, participate in related design exercises, and experience the project’s progress through meetings or site visits. As a returning intern, Xintong was also able to understand the evolution of each project and the progress the firm had made since last summer.
Beyond the weekly work schedule, Finegold also customizes aspects of the program for returning interns. With Xintong planning to attend architecture school, the internship supervisors also scheduled lunches with an educational focus each week. These lunches, with designers from different alma maters, aimed to equip Xintong with new perspectives ahead of the application process. Although each firm’s internship starts with a plan, those who find ways to customize to intern interests make the experience even more beneficial.
Similar to other host firms, the intern spends 4-days per week (Monday-Thursday) in the office. All interns spend Fridays off-site with BSA K-12 for their Summer Fridays series.
To plan and coordinate the internship, Finegold has a core team of internship supervisors, composed of designers at various levels. To balance the responsibilities for the internship, they share the schedule each spring with the firm to get others involved as mentors.
Throughout the internship, the intern connects with staff across all levels and roles at the firm. Internship supervisors check in weekly, while mentors check in daily for project progress and feedback. The firm also places the intern near emerging professionals, allowing them to connect with those closer in age. As they grow more comfortable in the office, the firm also encourages them to ask questions and connect with others at the firm.
Internship Supervisor and Architect, Megan Carriere, shared her ‘why’ for getting involved. “I want to pass that excitement on to other people and give high school students' exposure, too, knowing architecture is such a unique profession. Being able to do this in our office and provide new perspectives for students is something I enjoy doing so much."
Although this experience is often beneficial across levels, firms have found that emerging professionals develop new skills, including leadership and management, by assisting the high school interns. Designers Utsav Kalathiya and Juanita Libreros shared how important it was for them to help guide someone younger than them as some of the most junior staff. They also shared that the firm benefits from the high school intern as well, especially when hearing from a fresh, new perspective, and thinking through solutions in new ways.
For Xintong, now a BPS senior, her second high school internship at Finegold further solidified her interests in architecture. Moving into senior year, she plans to continue her interests through a senior research project before pursuing architecture school. It not only has impacted her career path, but her perspective of design in her own life. “Before, I would just walk by a street and not really notice much. Now, I take the time- even if I’m going on a walk or coming home from school- to really look at my surroundings. Boston has a lot of different architectural styles and history that relates to it. The BSA’s Summer Fridays and working on projects [at the firm] have definitely changed my perspective on the city that I grew up in.”
Reflecting on her high school internship, Xintong also shared, “Once you have this experience, you are really prepared moving forward to college and your future career. You’ll really be able to learn how a firm operates, how architects work-- something you can’t learn just through school. This internship is a great way for [students] to kickstart their interest and career path.” We’re excited to see where Xintong’s path takes her, equipped with the knowledge, curiosity, and growth fostered through her time at Finegold.
This program is made possible by a network of collaborators at each firm, working to plan and facilitate the high school intern’s experience. Thank you to the Finegold Alexander team, with special thanks to Associate Principal, Clair Colburn; Internship Supervisors, Megan Carriere, Grant Rocco, and Leah Wolkovich-Quartey; Internship Mentors, Matt Cox, Utsav Kalathiya, Juanita Libreros, Nanditha Thiagarajan, and Micajah Tucker; and Peer Mentor, Idael Cardenas. Thank you also to the AIA College of Fellows for their support of the 2025 Architecture/Design High School Internship program.
With a significant gap between interested applicants (400+ across AEC) and current architecture placements (15), we are seeking additional firms to get involved for the 2026 high school internship. Not only will new participating firms have the support of the BSA and PIC, but a network of current host firms who are available to share insights, tools/resources, and more.
We are currently seeking firms to sign on to host for the 2026 season. To learn more and to get involved, please email Taylor Johnson (BSA), [email protected].
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