Interns at ZMM Architects & Engineers (ZMM) are gaining real-world experience by working collaboratively with fellow interns and professional staff. The seventeen students are seeing their classroom knowledge come to life in projects that benefit communities across the region.

Our interns support operations across the firm in our Charleston, WV and Blacksburg, VA offices. The interns represent eight institutions including California Baptist University, Fairmont State University, Marshall University, Ohio University, University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia University.

Caroline Castle, a Charleston, WV native and student at the University of Tennessee, was an intern last year after her first year of college and returned this summer. She attributes her internship experience to being more prepared for her return to the classroom. “It really helped me going back into my next semester and helped me refocus my priorities to become a better designer. I have learned a lot here that I am not going to learn in school.”

Caroline believes interning early in her academic career was very beneficial. “I feel like it was a really invaluable experience to be able to do it that early. It’s so hard to know if you’re going to like architecture from school because it’s so different, especially in the earlier years. It’s so design-heavy and conceptual. To come in and learn a lot about construction and documentation and the functional aspects of the career was really incredible.”

In addition to what she’s learned, Caroline shared her appreciation of the supportive environment at ZMM. “I really like being here. I thought a firm would be scary. Everyone is so kind and willing to teach. [They’re] willing to pull you in on things and hear your opinion and experience. Even though I’m young, I feel like I’m valued. It’s what I’ve always wanted in a workplace.”

Caroline specifically mentioned the mentorship and support she’s received working with Chris Campbell, architect and project manager at ZMM. “Chris’ communication with people is something I’ll always remember. He’s incredible in breaking things down and explaining things. You don’t always get that with professors. It’s really cool to have someone that’s so good at not only doing what they’re doing, but explaining what they’re doing. He has made this experience so valuable.”

Owen Farrier is a two-time intern for ZMM from Blacksburg who attends Virginia Tech and shares Caroline’s appreciation for the supportive environment at ZMM. His first job was as an intern at ZMM at the age of 17. “I was really nervous. As soon I walked through the door, everybody was willing to help. It felt right.” Owen says that he feels at home at ZMM and appreciates being heard. “Everyone cared about what I had to say, what I was learning, and what I was doing. I had a lot of questions to start. Very quickly, I learned that it didn’t matter what I was asking, everyone was here to help.

Claire Fulks from Ona, WV is not new to internship experiences, but this is her first year interning with ZMM. She was nervous, just as Owen was, but appreciates the support and valuable experience she’s received. “Everyone has been welcoming and helpful. I feel like I’ve learned a lot. It’s the best internship I’ve had by far.”

Claire has enjoyed working alongside other interns and professional staff. “I like how they’re taking us places and we get to see more than just the design aspect of architecture. We get to see biddings and pre-construction meetings and I’ve been able to be involved,” she said.

Marshall Villers, a student at Marshall from Winfield, WV, also enjoys working on projects. He said, “they focus me and time seems to fly when I work on them.”

Owen shared that his favorite project so far was the Montgomery County School Bus Garage parking lot. “It was the first place I got to go. It was really cool to see the project through from beginning to end.”

Caroline appreciates seeing the work in real life and the process that it takes to get there. She values how the community engages with projects. “I get to see the things go up and know what’s happening and talk to the community of people that are being affected by these projects. That is something that I am really excited about. Going into a school building that this firm has built and seeing the kids’ reactions, hearing from the community, and all of the excitement is fulfilling.”

“It’s very exciting for our interns when they can work on projects in the communities where they were raised. It provides them with an opportunity early in their career to see the positive impact that can be realized through design. Simultaneously, the internships also demonstrate ZMM’s commitment to supporting the educational landscape in the communities we serve,” shared Adam Krason, Architect, Accredited Learning Environment Planner, and Principal at ZMM.

Whether a professional is just starting out or they’ve been in their careers for years, ZMM is committed to the advancement of the profession and those working in it.

“We want to provide opportunities to grow and hone our skills, individually and collectively. We are a trusted resource in our field and focused on being the premier architectural and engineering firm in the state. We are dedicated to the development of our team so that we can continue to help our clients and communities build their legacies,” shared Krason.

Our interns are taking the opportunity to be a part of that work early in their career. Many young people in our state, however, aren’t aware of the opportunities in the field that are available to them in their communities.

Caroline grew up in West Virginia but, prior to her time at ZMM, she didn’t realize what was possible in architecture here at home. She shared some advice for others who might be interested in the field but are unaware of what is possible. Proudly, she shared, “for the nerds of the world who are also social, it is the best of the best worlds. That’s exactly what I am. I’m a talker, but I love my programming and software. I like talking to people and figuring out problems. Every project is just a puzzle, no matter how big.”

“It has been energizing for all of us to see our interns so interested and involved in projects. Learning and gaining perspective from each other is at the core of who we are and our interns are an important part of our team. We look forward to working with these rising stars as ZMM continues to grow,” said David Ferguson, Architect, Recognized Educational Facility Professional, and Principal at ZMM.

Our summer 2024 interns are Robert Betz (Virginia Tech), Preston Cale (University of Kentucky), Caroline Castle (University of Tennessee), Hannah Collins (West Virginia University), Sophia Dascoli (University of Tennessee), Josh Dicken (California Baptist University), Owen Farrier (Virginia Tech), Claire Fulks (Marshall University), Isiah Moncreif (University of Kentucky), Logan Pierson (Fairmont State University), Sarah Riley (University of Tennessee), Blaise Schray (Marshall University),

Laci Tankersley (Virginia Tech) (not pictured), Charlie Taylor (Ohio University), Parker Vance (West Virginia University), Marshall Villers (Marshall University), and Emily Wilson (Virginia Tech).

ZMM was founded in 1959 in Charleston, West Virginia by Ray Zando, Ken Martin, and Monty Milstead. ZMM employs more than 65 professionals across operations in three states and has been recognized with statewide and national design and planning awards. Specifically, the firm has received 24 American Institute of Architects (AIA) West Virginia Chapter Design Awards since 2004, an achievement that is unrivaled in West Virginia. ZMM is committed to helping clients and communities build brighter futures. At ZMM, it’s more than architecture, it’s about building your legacy.

For those interested in internships or other employment opportunities at ZMM, visit our Employment page.