Hokies turn internships into real-world impact
From design studios to film sets, students in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design gained hands-on experience that has shaped their career paths.
Three months of summer may seem like a long time, and for Hokies completing summer internships, it’s a time to make every second count.
Students in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design put their skills to work on projects ranging from co-leading a master plan proposal at an architecture firm in Richmond to assisting in the development of a movie in California. Their internships were filled with hands-on experiences, offering opportunities to solve problems, collaborate with professionals, and see the direct impact of their work.
These opportunities are key components of Virginia Tech Advantage, which aims to provide experiential learning for all students, regardless of income or ability to travel for an opportunity.
Whether flying across the country or keeping it local, these students jumped at the chance to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world projects. These reflections show that a great opportunity is just a call — or an email — away.
Delphie Garrison, industrial design
With only two packed bags, Garrison flew across the country to spend 12 weeks interning for Adidas North America at its headquarters in Portland, Oregon. Coming from a soccer-oriented family, she grew up wearing Adidas products. Garrison jumped on the opportunity to work with the company and further her understanding of the design process, from initial product briefing to final production. During the internship, she:
- Worked on a team that created commercial sportswear products and special concepts for the North American market
- Designed a new shoe from start to finish, as part of an intern-specific project, and presented research and designs to teammates, directors, and product managers for feedback and review
- Developed mood boards for design language, color selection, and materials. Worked directly with the sample studio to make patterns and prototypes
What is the most important thing you learned during your internship that will help you succeed as a professional?
My perspective on design shifted toward end consumers. I want to meet their needs as well as the needs of the company I am contributing to. I have applied this to my design process in my schoolwork this year, understanding why the product should exist, not just why I want it to exist. The internships I have done during my time at Virginia Tech have significantly changed my views on design and expanded my understanding of the industry. I feel confident as a senior and more hopeful for my life postgraduation because I have a better understanding of what areas of design I am most interested in pursuing.
What was your most memorable moment of the internship?
The internship early careers team hosted an Intern Immersion Week featuring a business case competition. With only a few hours to design a set of products, my team and I developed and presented a new product, marketing, and activation strategy for the soccer division. It was an amazing opportunity to apply what I’d learned throughout the internship. The project required close cross-functional collaboration and showed me how design can drive innovation and add value in business contexts. Our team won the competition and earned the opportunity to present directly to John Miller, president of Adidas North America.
Karl Rice, architecture
As an intern for the architecture firm LaBella Associates in its Richmond office, Rice put his design experience and collaboration skills to work while exploring city life in Richmond. He spent the summer working on three client projects and co-led the development of a master plan proposal. Projects he worked on included:
- Site planning and schematic design for a technology start-up “innovation hub” for small businesses
- Material studies and schematic design for a mixed-use apartment building in the Scott’s Addition district
- Programming and proposal development for a feasibility study for renovating an abandoned terminal building on the James River
- Concept design, planning, and presentation for a master plan renovation and remodel of Southside Plaza, a landmark strip mall in southern Richmond
How did you find this internship? Why did you choose this company?
I discovered LaBella for the first time at Virginia Tech’s Architecture and Design Career Fair. I stopped by their table, not knowing much about the firm, but I was immediately interested when I saw their past work in sports complexes and mixed-use apartments. Although I was nervous, I took a chance and struck up a conversation with someone I later learned was the office’s principal architect. The conversation was amazing, and, before I knew it, I received a follow-up email from the firm asking me to interview with them the following week.
What advice would you give other students about starting strong in the first week?
Don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t know everything. It is easy to feel that “selling yourself" means making yourself sound like you're more experienced than you actually are, but, in reality, it means being honest while showing your curiosity. I'm no expert, but I have learned from talking to my LaBella mentors that most firms don’t expect you to know everything. What they look for is your enthusiasm, openness, and the drive to grow into a stronger designer and overall leader.
Madi Stewart, cinema
Stewart, a senior, spent her summer in Los Angeles, gaining hands-on experience working on the early stages of a movie. As an intern for AMP Comics, Stewart worked closely with Producer Don Handfield as he assembled teams for finance, makeup, special effects, and locations.
How did you find this internship? Why did you choose this company?
I found this internship through a neighbor. I have been telling everyone I possibly can that my major is film, and I want to end up in California one day. It just so happened that one of my neighbors’ high school friends was a producer in Los Angeles. His name was Don Handfield, the producer for the hit film “The Founder.” AMP Comics is a young, independent company, but I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of. Basically, I could not turn down this opportunity, and I knew this could be a foot in the door for me.
What was your most memorable moment of the internship?
I went to Comic-Con in San Diego for free with my boss and his team. I drove up with them, and the advice they gave me and the talks we had were unforgettable. It made me feel like my hard work was paying off. I was the only intern. I got to meet and network with so many people, and I was able to do it on my own. It felt like a growing moment.
What advice would you give other students about finding an internship?
Make every second count. If you want the job, you can get it, but you have to step up and show what you are capable of. Never stop reaching out. Tell everyone your major, because I promise someone will say, “I know someone in that industry.” Use your resources around you. Virginia Tech has the best cinema faculty who are always there to help you connect and give great advice. Use every bit of it.
Julia "Jules" Baun, graphic design
As an avid climber and a graphic design major, Baun saw a summer internship with Organic Climbing as a perfect chance to merge her interests. While on the job, she created 3D product blueprints and instructional manuals, illustrated custom graphics, and contributed to the brand image of a company she has trusted for years.
How did you find this internship? Why did you choose this company?
In January, I emailed Josh Helke, founder of Organic Climbing, looking for a design internship. After receiving his enthusiastic response, we set up an interview, which I happened to take the second morning of an off-grid climbing trip in rural Georgia. We drove down the mountain to find some place with service: a local McDonald’s. I told Josh that we had eight of Organic’s crash pads [a portable mat used to provide a soft landing surface and prevent injuries] in the back of our 4Runner at Rocktown, Georgia, and he was beyond excited. Earlier that fall, Organic had sent the Virginia Tech Climbing Club a ton of discounted pads for the team to loan out to its members in need of climbing gear. I chose this company because of their values, as well as my deep connection and commitment to an outdoor lifestyle.
What is the most important thing you learned during your internship that will help you succeed as a professional?
I practiced taking initiative and self-directing my tasks during the internship. I had a lot of creative freedom, and it was up to me to make sure the work I was putting out was my best. I was making big decisions by myself, while also making sure to continually meet with Josh, my supervisor, to keep him looped in while I was remote. Josh pointed me in the direction of starting an LLC [a limited liability company, which has a more flexible business structure than a corporation] for myself. After that experience, I went home and created my first fixed rate sheets for clients I was taking on this summer. Having fixed rates also helped me attract clients who would respect me and love my work.
What was your most memorable moment of the internship?
Visiting the warehouse was very special to me because I've been using Organic’s products since I started climbing. Their gear has saved my life more times than I can count on my hands. They are my favorite bouldering gear company, and their style and color palette deeply resonate with my own personal style. It was pretty incredible to see where all of these beautiful, top-notch crash pads come from and to hear some of the internal aspects of the business.
Written by Ashley Falat, a senior communications major
