My name is Gracie Musgrove, and I am a fifth-year architecture student, with minors in Urban Planning and History of Architecture and Design, at the University of Arkansas. This summer I had the opportunity to work as an Architectural Designer Intern at Hoefer Welker, an architecture firm in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. While this internship had not been my first, the summer was full of many new experiences.
Growing up in rural Arkansas, I understood the importance of community and cultural identity. I was drawn to architecture at a young age because of the impacts it has on a community. I knew I would attend the University of Arkansas to pursue a career as an architect, but I never expected my career to move in the direction that it has this summer. Architectural licensure has many requirements. This includes a minimum of 3,740 experience/internship hours. Gaining experience before graduation often helps licensure candidates to reach licensure sooner but may also help in determining what type of office culture and practice an individual may seek, after they graduate from an accredited degree program.
Architecture also has many niches and practice specialties. While I had never truly seen myself working in healthcare design, my internship at Hoefer Welker has begun to change my mind. This summer I was placed in their Healthcare Studio, working alongside licensed architects. The Healthcare Design Studio specialized in healthcare projects of varying scales, anywhere from the renovation of an ambulatory (outpatient) surgical clinic to large medical campuses. I had the opportunity to work on a few projects during the summer. The two main projects I worked on were a new medical campus development project and an organ donation memorial project. The donor memorial project was the last project I worked on, in which I designed one of two concepts to present to the clients.
The experiences working on these projects provided me with real insight into the work that goes into such vital architectural projects. Much of the work required learning building codes for specific project types and different jurisdictions, which are not largely discussed in school. Every day presented new challenges, but all were learning opportunities. It wasn’t unusual to need to learn a new program or take an hour to learn new tools in certain software. Everyone in the studio was encouraging, and they were always willing to stop for a teaching moment when needed. Much like the design studios in school, you are constantly learning from one another in a professional studio.
Hoefer Welker also had an intern program, in which they partnered with other companies within the construction disciplines to share learning experiences for all the interns of the partner companies. This was called the AEC Partnership Program. I think it is safe to say that a highlight for all the interns was when Kissick Construction gave us a tour of Arrowhead Stadium as it was under construction. Hoefer Welker’s program included an Intern Sustainability Project and the Intern Passport Program. The sustainability project paired the interns in each studio to develop a theoretical outpatient clinic, located on a site near the office, using sustainable practices and materials. The Passport Program was my favorite part of the internship program. For this, interns were asked to meet and interview with at least four of the firm’s partners and principals. All the individuals I spoke with had a great passion for architecture and people, and they had so much wisdom to share. One recommendation I have for anyone going into an internship, whether it is required or not, is to meet with those in leadership positions and learn as much as you can from them.
The internship itself was not the only new experience I faced this summer. I moved to a new city and a new state, into my own apartment. It was a drastic change, but it was such a great opportunity to see what life could be like after graduation. I had to make new friends all over again, but the office culture was unlike anything I had expected. Hoefer Welker strongly believes in community and studio culture. So, they have Culture Club, an office club that plans in-office events for everyone to enjoy community with one another. A couple of the Culture Club events I participated in this summer included Day at the K, where the office had a tailgate at a Royals game, and Putt-Putt, where the whole office built an elaborate putt-putt golf course inside the office for everyone to play. If this doesn’t sound like your typical office or internship, it’s because it was so much better. I could not have been more thankful to have interned at such an incredible firm.
Between project work, internship programs, and Culture Club events, I had almost forgotten that I have one year of school left. It was a reminder that there is much more to learn after graduation, but architecture is certainly the right career for me. Internships are great opportunities, which everyone should try to experience. My last word of advice is to always ask questions and never stop learning. Thank you Hoefer Welker for the incredible opportunity to intern with you and thank you to the University of Arkansas Honors College for supporting my ability to take this opportunity!