Purpose of the study: Architecture as a field exists in the domains of practicality and precision. Internship is a crucial window that connects the field to the five year course. The research aims to unearth the requirements, expectations, and challenges dictating the internship experience. It also aims to decode the solutions that can help improve and equalize varied experiences.
Methodology: The research draws upon the experiences of the respondents, mentors and the authors as well. The research methods used are surveys and semi-structured interviews that have been overlaid onto the literature.
Main Findings: The analysis has been done using qualitative and quantitative techniques to understand the role of interns, mentors, and external factors that have a significant effect on the internship experience. The research analyses the expectations and aspirations of a trainee and the expectations and perspective of the mentor to cohesively understand the disparities and challenges both parties may face. The research, in conclusion, brings out the glaring gaps between the dissemination of architectural design in colleges versus the professional field. The academic disconnect in terms of minimum period of internship needs to be extended for better experiences.
Implications: Aspirant interns must prioritise learning above all else in an internship. Also, firms should encourage interns to do more exploration than just presentation work while colleges should start recognising the importance of interior internships. Hence, the research helps realise the gaps that need to be filled and how internships should be selected carefully as they are important stepping stones into the profession.