Summer 2025 Interior Design Student Intern

Progressive AE • Full-time • Grand Rapids, Michigan, US • 1m ago

Make an Impact
Progressive Companies’ Internship Program is a paid opportunity that provides a 100% real-world experience for students early in their career. During the internship, you will apply academic learning to real-world situations and cultivate project support, problem-solving, and communication skills. And with summer service-learning opportunities, community outings, wellness participation, and professional development lunch-and-learns, you’ll build a foundation for working in the Architectural field in the future.

As an Interior Design Intern, you will work collaboratively with project managers and other designers to familiarize yourself with extensive lines of materials, gain industry experience, and begin to build a professional network and resume. Typical work includes preparation of design presentation materials using Revit, Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchup, and InDesign, preparation of project finish books, participation in manufacturer representative presentations, and organizing and cataloging materials, samples, and product literature in the Design Library.

Responsibilities:

Organize and catalog materials, samples, and product literature in the Design Library.
Develop finish boards and binders during various phases of project development.
Manage incoming and outgoing mail and packages, including those materials to be shipped directly to clients or returned to vendors.
Organize and manage digital file system (vendor contacts and shared files).
Assist with preparation of quality working drawing contract documents, sketches, plans, details and schedules, using Revit software.
Attend on-site visits and field reviews to become acclimated on our methods, style, and approach to working with outside contractors and vendors.
Maintain knowledge of current trends and introductions of furnishings.
Alert your Technical Leader if you become aware of changes that could Assist with selection of furniture systems, fixtures, and equipment.
Provide design analysis consistent with Progressive Companies’ standards.
Attend professional development activities including “Lessons Learned” sessions.
Exhibit initiative and eagerness to learn and take on new responsibilities, responding well to mentorship.
Collaborate with various disciplines throughout Progressive Companies. Regularly communicate with Interior Designers, Project Managers, and Project Architects to ensure the Design Library is organized and presentable to disciplines and clients.
Present a professional image through appropriate business attire, personal appearance, and ability to carry and project yourself in a professional manner.
Prepare effective design presentation materials, record notes, and assist designers with presentations as needed.
Set up and participate in manufacturer representative presentations. Learn and update staff about product and literature as they become available.

Qualifications:

Enrollment in a CIDA-accredited interior design or interior architecture program.  
Basic knowledge of the interior design and documentation process.  Basic knowledge of sustainability, universal design, LEED, WELL, and other trends in the design/construction industry.  
Willingness to learn and participate in the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) processes.  
Basic knowledge of applicable codes (and willingness to learn) along with ability to assist in conducting research for requirements that may need to be incorporated into technical documents. 
Attention to detail with an emphasis on quality work products and client service, demonstrated through your competencies. 
Ability to express (and show) a passion for building and maintaining client relationships and providing exceptional customer service in a team environment. 
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including preparing and performing presentations. 
Strong design skills demonstrated in portfolio, as well as the ability to clearly articulate design solutions. 
Knowledge of SketchUp, Revit/AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign are required. Experience in producing construction documents preferred.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook required. Experience in Project, SharePoint, and Teams preferred.

People Matter

Each individual’s background, knowledge, ability, and experience contributes to strengthening our organization and projects. Our dedication to diversity includes company provided training and education, equitable recruitment, a grassroots employee DEI committee, and robust community partnerships.

Progressive Companies is comprised of people with a variety of abilities, races, colors, religions, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, veteran statuses, and more. As an equal opportunity employer, we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements of innovative design. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Transforming Spaces. Empowering People.

The talented professionals of Progressive Companies are designers of a bold new future, creating high-performance structures and pathways, delivering on today’s needs and preparing for what’s to come. We live by the idea that design isn’t simply about beauty, it’s about improving strategic outcomes—what we call Performance Based Design. Our work spans across the nation, allowing team members to work on a variety of exciting projects and maximize impact as trusted partners to our clients and communities.

Sustainable and Inclusive

We are dedicated to human-centered, sustainable, and inclusive design practices. We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to building trust, respect, and truly innovative design making spaces welcoming and accessible to all. Our sustainability approach embraces the AIA 2030 Commitment, together with a range of high performance, restorative, and regenerative strategies with a focus on climate responsive results to maximize positive impact in our industry.

Employee Owned

We act like owners—because we are. From modest beginnings of four original engineering partners in 1962, to almost 300 architects, engineers, designers, and consultants across multiple regional offices today, the energy, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurial mindset you expect from a CEO come standard with every team member.

Culture of Excellence

The firm is continually ranked as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation®, with comprehensive benefits including an award-winning wellness program, hybrid work schedule, summer hours, profit-sharing, and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). We take our work seriously, but have fun along the way, which fuels the creative spirit and supports a focus on work and life integration.

Progressive Companies is committed to development and growth of team members through continuing education, mentorship, growth opportunities, and more. We are dedicated to giving back to our communities, with paid service-learning hours available to every employee and corporate sponsorship for a wide range of community organizations and activities.

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