City Design Internship

About the City Design Internship Program

The City Design Internship Program provides Macaulay Honors College students with the opportunity to learn more from city agencies, organizations, and companies that are shaping New York City.

In summer 2026, undergraduate students interested in the fields of architecture, urban design, planning, and preservation will be placed in an 8-10 week internship that will include site visits, lectures, and networking events. This cohort of students will have opportunities to gather together, learn from each other’s experiences, and participate in cohort activities.

The work and responsibilities of the internships will be governed by the employer. Site visits, lectures, and other activities will be led by Design Trust for Public Space.

The City Design Internship Program is offered through New York: City Designed, a year-long program at the Macaulay Honors College, co-managed by the Design Trust for Public Space, that gives students a deeper understanding of New York City as a metropolis that has been purposefully designed over centuries. With a mixture of experiential learning, workshop-based problem-solving, and in-depth site visits, the program will give students an understanding of the forces that have shaped their city. Doing so will, in-turn, equip these students with the skills to be agents of change, to access jobs in the planning and design sectors, and to take power as residents of New York City.

Eligibility

In order to apply, you must:

• Be a currently enrolled MHC student entering their junior or senior year in fall of 2026;
• Be able to demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States;
• Live in New York City, and be available 20-35 hours per week between the first week of June through the second week of August (varies based on final internship placement).
   

Student Backgrounds

Current sophomores and juniors from all courses of study are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to students with coursework in architecture, urban studies, sociology, planning, design, real estate, sustainability, and preservation. Candidates should have a strong interest in the architecture, planning, design and preservation fields. Candidates should display strong leadership and time management skills, and should be available during the summer months (June through mid-August).

2026 City Design Internship Partners and Placements

We are excited to partner with the following organizations for internship placements in summer 2025:

• 3x3 Design
• Design Trust for Public Space
• New York City Department of City Planning
• New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
• New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
• TenBerke Architects
• Trust for Public Land
• WXY Studio

Please visit our 2026 CDSI List of Placements to learn more information about each internship placement. Please note that updates may be made to the document as we confirm placement details.

Internship Benefits

City Design interns will be compensated a minimum of $18 per hour, a transportation subsidy for the duration of the summer internship, and opportunities to connect with leaders in the architecture, urban planning, design, and preservation fields.

How to Apply

Interested students should submit the following materials for consideration:

• Resume with past employment and/or coursework experiences, if applicable;
• Unofficial transcript;
• Rank Order List;

Please submit a rank order list of the 3 most desired organizations you would like a placement at for this summer, in numerical order (first choice, second choice, etc.). Please provide a brief explanation for each choice.

• Prompts (150-200 words each)
  • Relevant Skills: What skills do you have that will help you during your internship experience and how do you plan to implement them?
  • Problem Solving/Leadership: Tell us about a time in which you exercised leadership. How did you approach the situation and what did you learn from it?
  • Aspirations: In what ways would the City Design internship experience influence your current career goals? Which skill(s) would you like to develop throughout the course of this experience? 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through Friday, March 20, 2026.

About the Design Trust for Public Space

Founded in 1995, the Design Trust for Public Space is a non-profit organization that unlocks the potential of New York’s public spaces. Our unique model catalyzes design ideas into action for a more just and equitable city. Design Trust is at the forefront of shaping NYC's public realm from parks, plazas, and streets to city buildings, transportation systems and neighborhoods throughout all five boroughs, developing equitable and vibrant public space through collaborative design. Learn more: www.designtrust.org 

About Macaulay Honors College

Macaulay Honors College at CUNY is a highly selective college where New York’s most promising students receive the financial and academic support to realize their leadership potential. It provides outstanding educational opportunities for academically gifted students from the five boroughs of New York City and beyond.