Apply for SOM’s Global Shadowship Week!
Program Dates: January 04 - January 08, 2027
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 from January 04 - January 08, 2027, and be held in-person in our studios. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on October 31, 2026. Selected applicants will be notified on November 17, 2026.
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 2027 to be considered for the Global Shadowship at SOM.
- Applicants who do not submit work samples will not be reviewed.
- The application deadline is October 31, 2026
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, Planning
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
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.
At SOM, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We believe an inclusive environment benefits our employees, our firm, and our community, while also enriching and challenging our own thinking about design. 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
Skills Required
- Must be enrolled in school in 2027.
- Must be a current undergraduate or graduate student in architecture, engineering, or a related design field.
- Resume must be submitted for all disciplines.
- Work samples must be submitted for design positions, including Architecture, Computational Design, Interiors, and Planning.
- Work samples must be submitted as part of one PDF, be no longer than five pages, and not exceed 5 MB.
- Must submit the application by October 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and has not been reviewed or approved by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is considered solid for the industry, including medical, dental, vision, and access to telehealth services and a One Medical membership. Feedback suggests these offerings add meaningful value to the overall package.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-focused supports such as paid family leave, hybrid/flexible schedules, and subsidized backup child and elder care are highlighted across postings. Feedback suggests these elements help support work–life needs.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Professional growth is supported through reimbursement for licenses/exams and structured in-house development and mentoring. Many view prestige projects and strong learning as part of the total reward.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) Insights
What We Do
A global collective of architects, designers, engineers, and planners building a better future. Named No. 1 on Architizer's 2024 list of "Best Architecture and Design Firms in the United States," an #Equality100 company by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index, and a Woman-forward Workplace finalist by Crain's New York Business in 2023
