What It’s Really Like to Intern at a NYC-based Engineering and Architecture Firm
Forget basic desk duty. From inspecting historic brick masonry on active job sites to troubleshooting complex mechanical rooms, interning at an architecture and engineering firm means taking the foundation you’ve built in the classroom and putting it to work in the real world.
This summer, RAND’s 2026 cohort stepped directly onto active project sites across NYC. They ran soundings on concrete parking decks, evaluated historic terracotta restorations, updated complex CAD floor plans, and supported real-world marketing initiatives. Before they wrapped up their field notes and headed back to campus, we sat down with them to talk about their site visits, office projects, and biggest takeaways. Here’s what they shared.
Kashaun Brown
Structural Team | Civil Engineering, New York University, Class of 2028
Kashaun joined Structural Project Engineer Timothy Lee on a Periodic Inspection of Parking Structures (PIPS) site visit in Queens. Together, they completed the required sounding of the floors, walls, and ceilings and documented the conditions they observed.
“When I first started my internship at RAND, I didn’t know what to expect as a rising junior at NYU. I soon realized that RAND was a great place for a growing engineer to begin gaining real-world experience.
“The environment gave me the space to reflect on my assignments and develop a deeper understanding of their purpose and RAND’s role in the engineering field. The employees were patient and kind, always willing to answer questions, share their own engineering stories, and offer advice.
“My favorite piece of advice was to explore different jobs and areas of civil and structural engineering to figure out what I truly enjoy. That has really stayed with me because I had never thought about how much flexibility I have as a student to experience different roles.
“The best part of this internship was realizing how much more I have to learn in my engineering journey, and that a degree is only the first step toward becoming a good civil engineer. The experience RAND has given me as a first-time intern has been invaluable, and I would love to work here again in the future.”
Khadija Ali
Facade & Roofing Team | Bachelor of Architecture, City College of New York, Class of 2027
“Throughout my internship, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of facade and roofing projects. I assisted with field investigations, FISP inspections, probes, submittal reviews, and other aspects of building restoration.
“One of my site visits involved observing and documenting a terracotta patch repair to verify the quality and progress of the restoration work.
“My favorite part of the internship was working on landmark buildings. It brought a real sense of importance to the work, knowing that our efforts contribute to preserving New York City’s historic architecture while helping these buildings remain safe and functional for years to come.”
Andrew Li
MEP & Energy Team | Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Class of 2028
On one of his site visits, Andrew inspected a service switch room while the project team considered whether new feed piping could be routed underground to make better use of the available space. He also measured clearances and room dimensions to help evaluate efficient and feasible routes for new ductwork.
“Although I joined the team later in the summer, I found learning about all the work we do very interesting, from the individual building systems to how the industry operates as a whole. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn from the team and contribute to the work.”
Danielle Gibson
Facade & Roofing Team | Bachelor of Architecture, Class of 2027
“This summer, I shadowed project managers, architects, and engineers during their site visits. I was involved in the construction phase of several older and historic building projects. It was fascinating to see how restoration work can complement and replicate a building’s original ornamentation and architectural style.
“180 Central Park South was one of the most interesting projects I visited because RAND was working alongside another architecture firm on the solarium and parapet. I had the opportunity to observe how multiple firms coordinate their work on the same property and how they address questions or miscommunication when they arise.
“I really enjoyed watching the projects progress each week and seeing how project managers navigate delays, communicate with contractors, and organize their schedules. Bringing what I learned on site back to the office gave me a much better understanding of the documents I was asked to prepare.”
Eric Arsenicos
Facade & Roofing Team | Electrical Engineering, SUNY Oswego, Class of 2027
During a site visit at 64 East 111th Street, Eric joined Project Engineer Raj Lamichhane to observe waterproofing work. Eric helped confirm that the waterproofing extended four inches from the edge, as specified, and saw how details identified during a site visit are communicated to the contractor.
“At RAND, I’ve learned a great deal about roofing and facades, along with some MEP work. Whether I’m preparing a site visit report, working on a CAD drawing, or helping with another assignment, RAND has given me the resources to complete advanced tasks while learning things that cannot always be taught in school.
“As I enter my senior year at SUNY Oswego, I look forward to graduating in May 2027 with a degree in electrical engineering. I will always be thankful that I was able to contribute to RAND’s work and learn so much through the internship program over the past two summers.”
Dean Goldman
Forensics Team | Mechanical Engineering, Binghamton University
“Throughout my time as an intern on the Forensics team, I visited many different job sites and assisted with the evaluation of buildings from roof to cellar. These site visits exposed me to the many different systems that keep major buildings operating.
“I also helped document site conditions through photographs and observation cards that could be incorporated into the team’s reports. This internship has been a great opportunity to apply concepts I have learned in school to real-world situations.”
Nathaniel Gadea
Building Design Group | University of Utah
“As an intern at RAND, I worked primarily on our project with the New York Public Library and had the opportunity to contribute to several aspects of the project. I also joined Senior Architect Michael Langwell, RA in the field to help survey existing conditions.”
Alexander Siri
CAD Team | Bachelor of Architecture, New York Institute of Technology, Class of 2030
“One of my favorite site memories was actually my 18th birthday, when I went to a water infiltration test in DUMBO with Project Associate Karalynn Cantwell and Project Architect Valerie Landriscina, RA. It was the first time I had the opportunity to speak with several people who lived in one of the buildings where we were working. Seeing how much our work affected their lives gave me a much deeper appreciation for what we do as architects and engineers.”
“This summer, I went on site visits and, depending on the building and project, prepared reports documenting the day’s work or created and updated detailed floor plans and elevations. The skills I am developing at RAND are an important part of my architectural education at NYIT.
Chloe Varsalona
Marketing Team | The Bronx High School of Science, Class of 2028
“This summer, I helped with a variety of projects, ranging from social media to organizing information for award submissions. RAND gave me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in marketing and the freedom to experiment with real-world projects.
“This was my second year interning at RAND, and I’m very grateful for the opportunities, experiences, and community I have gained while working here.”
Build Your Professional Foundation at RAND
To our summer interns: thank you. Your energy and dedication didn’t just support our teams, they helped push our projects forward. We are proud to be a part of your professional foundation, and we look forward to watching you build incredible careers in the industry.
Getting real experience in the A/E industry starts long before graduation, with hands-on time on site, mentorship from industry veterans, and real responsibility on active projects. Whatever your background or area of study, RAND offers summer internships where you can turn your curiosity into practical skills.
Ready to leave your mark on the buildings and spaces around us?
Contact RAND at hr@randpc.com.