Many Seattle architecture firms have stated commitments to hiring more applicants of color. However, the pool of qualified diverse candidates in Seattle is relatively limited and there has not been a coordinated effort in the past to actively recruit and retain BIPOC graduates. In response, Schemata Workshop has initiated a citywide internship program that specifically targets Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs).
This program would offer a paid summer including stipends to cover travel, lodging and transit. In addition, there would be a concerted effort to offer inter-office social and educational opportunities to help the interns develop relationships outside of their workplace. The purpose of these extracurricular programs is to build community and foster a connection to Seattle in hopes of their return upon graduation.
This past summer, several architecture firms collaborated to provide their summer interns with various opportunities to learn about opportunities in Seattle for someone pursuing the architectural profession.
To kick off the series, Mithun facilitated a tour of the Seattle Aquarium and hosted a Happy Hour at their office just a few blocks aways. Here, the students were given a look behind the scenes at one of Seattle’s most visited tourist attractions. When asked about his experience with Mithun, one intern shared:
“The aquarium tour and happy hour on the waterfront at Mithun's amazing office was a quintessential Seattle architecture experience. Given the location on a pier and the unique constraints of caring for such a wide variety of sea creatures, the aquarium was an unusual and interesting project to dive into. Touring the whole site, including the yet un-renovated west end of the pier, gave a sort of before-and-after view of how renovations change and improve a space. The interns from my three-year UW M.Arch program also all enjoyed the rare opportunity to get to know other area interns!”
Across the Sound in Bremerton, RFM hosted a sketching session on the ferry followed by a tour of their studio. In reflecting about his experience hosting the event an architect at RFM said, “I wanted to participate in this event because when I was in architecture school, I really valued any job shadow opportunities I was able to experience. Every office runs differently so I appreciated getting a “sneak peek” into the field I was about to enter. Speaking with Melissa and Carlos was a wonderful experience, architecture draws people from all over the world like (Carlos from Spain) and from other career paths (Melissa was a teacher). The feedback we received from Carlos and Melissa was that it was one of the best days of their summers in Seattle!”
Schemata Workshop hosted a dozen interns for a tour of the Capitol Hill Urban Cohousing and a community meal. Together, students and professionals cooked and shared a meal. Schemata Workshop’s newest employee and recent graduate, Caitlin Truong, speaks to her experience at the event:
“It was really cool to cook with strangers and be able to enjoy a meal together. I think because we cooked together, it made the experience feel more intimate rather than just a tour of the cohousing project. The communal kitchen showed me the importance of these community building spaces.”
The goal is to have the internship program in place by Summer 2024.