In honor of National Intern Day, we are celebrating future design leaders in the built environment! ESa is fortunate to have our talented group of summer student interns with us. Read on to learn about our student internship program, the students’ experiences within the program, along with their inspirations and plans for the future.
ESa’s student interns are an integral part of our team. The student internship program is essential to our firm and embodies our mission — people. Having student interns integrated into our culture and mentoring them daily shapes the lives of these young designers and architects, who in turn, become integral in creating the built environments of the future.
Our program includes students in both interior design and architecture disciplines and lasts between three and six months. During the course of the internship, they become a full member of the ESa team, getting hands-on project experience in a highly dynamic office setting. Students get the chance to work with multiple designers to help accomplish project goals and meet deadlines.
The student internship program’s best metric of impact is by the number of students who return to the office as full-time employees. Over the years we have welcomed back many student interns, for some context, in our interiors department alone just under half of all designers were student interns. Get to know some of the summer ’22 student interns below!
Hannah Rhine, Architecture Student
Q) What school do you attend and what do you study?
A) I am a fifth year pursuing my Bachelor of Architecture degree at Penn State University.
Q) What are you hoping to experience during your time here?
A) During my time here, I am looking forward to applying the knowledge I have gained in school and applying that to actual projects while engaging with real time problem solving. Unlike the more individualistic environment of architecture school, I am also excited to participate in a collaborative design practice.
Q) What made you select ESa as your choice for a summer internship?
A) I decided to apply at ESa after doing some research on the both the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts and Consolari for a studio project. I soon discovered that ESa has done a bunch of design work in my hometown of Hershey, PA including the Hotel Hershey. This was intriguing and opened my eyes to the breadth of varied project experience that I would get to engage with at ESa.
Q) Describe your passion for design – what led you to explore a career in the A/E/C industry?
A) My passion for design started when I was a kid watching documentaries on how the Imagineers designed and built the Disney theme parks around the world. There is a funny story about one of my first trips to Walt Disney World where I ended up coloring in crayon on the walls Cinderella’s castle. My mom likes to think that was four-year-old Hannah’s first architectural design project.
Q) What inspires you?
A) I am inspired by architecture’s approach when it puts other people first, whether by making buildings more accessible for all or being able to adapt to individual clients’ needs. In terms of schooling, my biggest inspiration is a one-liner from a lecture freshman year, “The limit to your creativity is the obscurity of your resources.” That motto has really encouraged me to absorb as much knowledge as I can.
Q) Any architectural/interior design heroes?
A) I grew up admiring many Imagineers (but I will not open Pandora’s Box with that one). I have always loved some of the more “experimental” architects so Zaha Hadid, Shigeru Ban and even Antonio Gaudi are huge inspirations to me.
Q) How do you pass your free time?
A) I love being outdoors so hiking, swimming, and kayaking to name a few. However, with it being way too hot these next couple of weeks I will probably be inside reading, crocheting or baking. I also just bought a ukulele for fun so I will be trying to figure out how to play more than the first four chords of “The Rainbow Connection” by the famous Kermit the Frog over the summer.
Q) What has been the most unique thing you have experienced during your time at ESa?
A) The kindness of everyone at ESa has been unmatched. I have yet to meet someone who is not walking around with a smile on their face and is not only willing but also excited to answer my questions and provide assistance.
Maura Donovan, Interior Design Student
Q) What school do you attend and what do you study?
A) I am an incoming fourth year at the University of Cincinnati, studying interior design.
Q) What made you select ESa as your choice for a summer internship?
A) I had heard many good things about interning at ESa from my classmates who had been interns here before me. I especially liked how I would be able to work on real projects and have the opportunity to grow and learn hands-on about interior design and architecture. During my interview, I noticed how nice and welcoming everyone is. I especially like how everyone is willing to help and teach.
Q) How do you pass your free time?
A) When I have free time, I love listening to live music or going to see musicals and plays. I also enjoy exploring new places, trying new foods, going to museums, being outside and spending time with friends and family.
Amber Adams, Architecture Student
Q) What school do you attend and what do you study?
A) I graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville with my Bachelor of Architecture in May of 2022 and will be returning to UTK to complete a one year Master of Landscape Architecture.
Q) What made you select ESa as your choice for a summer internship?
A) I chose ESa because of the apparent sense of family that has been cultivated here. The values of ESa struck me throughout the hiring process, and I could see those values in projects and the people I met. I was interested in learning more about the culture of ESa and felt it was the perfect place to help me discover my career goals. I appreciated the conversations I had about the purpose of ESa and felt my values connected with the company.
Q) How do you pass your free time?
A) In my free time, I usually take care of my over 30 plants or buy more plants from any local greenhouses. You can also find me at bookstores or record shops trying to add to those collections!
Q) What are you hoping to experience during your time here?
A) In my time here at ESa, I am hoping to elevate my design skills, increase my understanding of a diverse group of architectural knowledge and projects, and, of course, make friends. I am interested in learning how architecture and the work of ESa are helping shape Nashville communities, and I hope to have great conversations about the impact of our discipline.
Q) Describe your passion for design – what led you to explore a career in the A/E/C industry?
A) I have always been interested in how people interact with space, both physically and emotionally. Architecture can be a powerful tool to bring people together and create environments that foster curiosity in our field, and I have found that architecture is an artifact of people’s culture, lives, and understanding of the built environment. I am passionate about listening to people’s stories and designing spaces that enhances those memories.
Q) What inspires you?
A) Community is one thing that has inspired me throughout my life. Being surrounded by people sharing stories, praising accomplishments and creating a safe environment pushes me to learn more, help more and design better.
Elliot Tishler, Architecture Student
Q) What school do you attend and what do you study?
A) I graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor of Arts in architecture and a minor in urban and regional analysis.
Q) What are you hoping to experience during your time here?
A) ESa has given me the ability to pursue my passion in healthcare design through the vast array of projects I have been able to work on. This hands-on experience has been a fantastic way to learn.
Q) Any architectural/interior design heroes?
A) For me, I would have to say Thomas Kundig. He is an American architect and principal in the Seattle-based firm Olson Kundig Architects.
Q) Are you a part of any student groups/organizations at school?
A) I was a part of the American Institute of Architecture Students and a fraternity.
Q) What are your plans for after graduation?
A) I am going to Clemson University in January of 2023 to get my master’s with a focus on healthcare design.
Elisabeth Walker, Interior Design Student
Q) What school do you attend and what do you study?
A) I attend University of Tennessee, Knoxville studying Interior Architecture with a minor in Business Administration.
Q) Describe your passion for design – what led you to explore a career in the A/E/C industry?
A) I have always been interested in the connection between interiors and architecture. I love how each impact the way a person engages with others and their surroundings.
Q) Are you a part of any student groups/organizations at school?
A) Alpha Rho Chi Professional Fraternity, IA Collaborative, Tau Sigma Delta Honor’s Fraternity.
Lily Loveday, Interior Design Student
Q) What school do you attend and what do you study?
A) I am going into my fourth year of interior architecture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Q) Describe your passion for design – what led you to explore a career in the A/E/C industry?
A) I am passionate about the psychology of design and how we can create spaces that alter the emotional and physical connection the users have in the space. I desire to create healthy spaces that better the users experience.
Q) Are you a part of any student groups/organizations at school?
A) I am a member of IA Collaborative at UTK.
