Description
About the Internship
At the 16-acre World Trade Center (WTC) Campus, we’re shaping one of the world’s most iconic public spaces to be more comfortable, engaging, inclusive, and community-centered. The World Trade Center Department (WTCD) is looking for a Seasonal Design Intern to support the design and implementation of public realm and placemaking projects across the WTC Campus.
This role primarily focuses on the design of enhancements to public space—from early concepts and visualizations to prototyping and implementation. This role is design-driven and centers on concept development, visualization, and the physical realization of public space improvements. The intern will gain hands-on experience designing for a world-class public campus; contribute to visible, real-world projects; collaborate with a multidisciplinary team; and develop a portfolio of work that demonstrates creativity, problem-solving, and impact.
Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Industrial Design, and Product Design students are highly encouraged to apply. This role is design focused with an emphasis on developing public spaces and small-scale touchpoints from concept to implementation (e.g., streetscapes, plazas, campus environments, and site elements, but not the design of buildings or building systems).
This internship is ideal for students interested in careers in urban design, public space design, architecture, or civic-minded design practice. Interns will contribute to visible, real-world projects that shape the campus environment and community experience.
Responsibilities
- Design Public Space Enhancements: Develop 2D and 3D design concepts, drawings, and visualizations for public spaces, plazas, streetscapes, site elements, and campus environments using tools such as Rhino, Enscape, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Suite.
- Prototype & Test Ideas: Assist in prototyping functional and aesthetically pleasing elements, furniture, and interactive installations that bring public space concepts to life.
- Support Placemaking Activations: Contribute to the design of public space programming, installations, and activations that encourage community interaction, engagement, and lingering.
- Engage the Public (Design Support): Support the division’s public engagement efforts by helping collect and synthesize on-the-ground feedback from campus users to inform design iterations and prototypes. (This role is design-focused, not operations-focused.)
- Research & Benchmark Best Practices: Research leading public spaces, materials, and design approaches and share insights with World Trade Center leadership.
- Collaborative Exposure: Work closely with planners, designers, operations staff, sustainability teams, and other team members in a hybrid environment that includes office, field, and remote work.
- Present & Communicate: Prepare drawings, renderings, and presentation materials and participate in briefings to present design work, research, and recommendations to division and department leadership.
Minimum Qualifications
- Enrollment at a college or university at the time of the internship
- Major in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Industrial Design, Product Design, Urban Design, or related discipline
- Design Skills: Adept in 2D and 3D design and modeling tools (e.g., Rhino, Enscape, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite); High degree of proficiency in one or more tools is preferred. Enthusiasm to learn new tools as needed, is expected.
- Portfolio: Submission of a portfolio or work samples demonstrating proficiency in 2D and 3D design. If possible, portfolios should include 3-5 examples showcasing conceptual and/or site-related work relevant to public spaces, urban environments, or interactive installations. Portfolios may be submitted as a PDF or a link included in the application.
Desired Qualifications
- Passionate about people-centered design, public space, placemaking, and public service.
- Creative and curious – always looking for new ways to make spaces more welcoming, inclusive, and engaging, and to put the public realm to its highest and best uses.
- Comfortable standing for extended periods and working hands-on in busy public spaces.
- Willing to work evenings or weekends to conduct field research and support events or activations, as needed.
- Comfortable working outdoors in an active campus environment, sometimes in hot or cold weather.
- A strong communicator who enjoys engaging with the public, campus partners, and diverse stakeholders.
- Strong research and analytical skills.
- Comfortable working collaboratively across disciplines and incorporating feedback into design work.
Internship Details
- The start date will be Thursday, May 28, 2026
- This internship is expected to end on Friday, November 27, 2026
- This will require 36.25 hours per week during the summer, then 15-20 hours per week during the school year (depending on course load).
- In accordance with Port Authority policy, this position permits interns to work remotely a maximum of one day per week. In person collaboration is essential to how the Port Authority conducts business and regular in-office days or team collaboration days may be required depending on business needs. Some internships may require interns to be fully in-person.
Selection Process
- Only applicants under consideration will be contacted
- If selected to move forward, the hiring team will reach out directly to schedule 1-2 interviews
- Different internships will have different timelines for interviews
Compensation & Benefits
- The hourly rate range is $18.61to $28.72 (the exact rate will be determined by internship type and rising school year)
- Ability to opt in to the New York State and Local Retirement System
- Access to Employee Business Resource Groups
- Facility Tours
- Career Panels
- Social/Networking Events
