SOM Global Shadowship Program

Sponsored by SOM’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) - Arquitectos, Asian Alliance, NOMA, Pride, and Women’s Initiative groups, this week-long program offers an immersive professional experience, mentorship, and guidance to students of all backgrounds. The program is open to applicants who are planning careers in architecture, engineering, urban planning, graphic design, or interior design, and who share a passion for advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in the AEC industry. 

As a current undergraduate or graduate student in architecture, engineering, or a related design field, you will have the opportunity to gain a well-rounded perspective on SOM and the day-to-day experience in our studios. Through a series of lectures and events, representatives from multiple disciplines will share their experiences and expertise.

This program will take place January 12 - January 16, 2026, and be held in-person in our studios. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on November 01, 2025.

Resume must be submitted for all disciplines. In addition, work samples must be submitted for all design positions: Architecture, Computational Design, Interiors, and Planning. Please attach your resume and work sample as one single PDF file. Applications for design positions without work samples will not be reviewed. Work samples should be no longer than 5 pages, maximum 5 MB, and should express your experience and interest in your field.

Reminders

• You must be enrolled in school in 2026 to be considered for the Global Shadowship at SOM.

• Applicants who do not submit work samples will not be reviewed.

• The application deadline is November 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

• Those selected to participate will be responsible for transportation and accommodations as needed.

Each office location will provide you with the opportunity to explore a variety of disciplines. Please check the office location that interests you along with the relevant disciplines:

Chicago: Architecture, Planning, Structural Engineering, Sustainable Engineering 

Dubai: Architecture

London: Architecture, Planning, Structural Engineering, Sustainable Engineering, Interior Design 

Los Angeles: Architecture, Interiors, Structural Engineering

New York: Architecture, Computational Design, Interiors, Planning, Structural Engineering, Sustainable Engineering

San Francisco: Architecture, Interior Design, Planning, Structural Engineering, Sustainable Engineering

Washington DC: Architecture, Planning, Structural Engineering

Participants are responsible for their own transportation and lodging as needed. A small stipend will be provided to each participant at the end of the program. 

Our Culture:

Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. Here, you’ll collaborate with industry experts on some of the most exciting and transformative architecture, engineering, and planning projects in the world.

We believe an inclusive environment improves our teams, our firm, and our communities and are passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our DEI Action Plan was created to bring meaningful change to our profession, starting with our own culture and practices. 

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Visit this page to learn more about SOM's employment policy and how to apply offline: www.som.com/employment_opportunities_and_policy

For more about SOM: www.som.com