Where Emerging Talent
connects with Real Practice.

capX connects architecture students and early-career professionals with California firms for paid internships, job shadowing, and virtual mentorship to help build the next generation of licensed architects.
Since our 2024 pilot, capX has engaged a growing statewide community of students, emerging professionals, mentors, and firms, including:

232

Enrolled Emerging Professionals & Students

44

Participating Firms

21+

Community
Resources
  • Paid Internships ·
  • Job Shadowing ·
  • Virtual Mentoring ·
  • Building Community ·
  • Statewide Network ·
  • Supporting the Future of the profession ·
  • Where emerging talent meets practice.
  • Paid Internships ·
  • Job Shadowing ·
  • Virtual Mentoring ·
  • Building Community ·
  • Statewide Network ·
  • Support the Future of the profession ·
  • Architecture Experience 101 + 102 ·

How capX Works

capX is designed to be flexible for firms of any size and accessible for every emerging professional: from high school explorers to community college, university, experience-only path, to recent graduates seeking entry-level positions.


01

Enroll & create a profile

Firms select their internship capacity. Emerging professionals share their skills, availability, and current path.

02

Get matched & connect

capX connects. Firms browse profiles and reach out directly to candidates that fit their needs and availablity.


03

Experience & grow

Participants engage in paid internships, job shadowing, or virtual mentoring — supported by capX resources and annual virtual Meetup community sessions.



For Architecture Firms

Invest in the profession.
Mentor the next generation.

Whether or not you have an existing internship program, capX makes it easy to host an emerging professional — on your timeline, at your pace.
  • Host a paid intern, job-shadow  or virtual mentoring session tailored to your firm's capacity
  • Access a diverse pipeline of candidates statewide
  • Strengthen your firm's role in building a more inclusive architecture workforce
  • Existing programs welcome — your existing interns can host job-shadow opportunities
Enroll Your Firm →
For Emerging Professionals

Take your first steps
into real practice.

capX is open to high school, community college students, university students, recent graduates, and those on the experience-only path in California.
  • Gain firsthand exposure to professional architectural practice
  • Connect with mentors, practicing architects, and a statewide network
  • Access Architecture Experience 101 & 102 virtual courses and other free helpful resources
  • Paid internships at or above California's minimum wage
Enroll as an Emerging Professional →

The next generation of architects.
Ready to learn from you.

Browse All Profiles →
Available Now

Martin Tun Win

Cal Poly Pomona · University

Any Experience

Los Angeles County, Orange County

View Profile
Available Now

Sharon Lopez

University of California, Berkeley · Graduated / Seeking entry-level job

Any Experience

Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Marin County, San Francisco County

View Profile
Available Now

Julianna Bgatov

Cosumnes River College · Community college

Any Experience

Placer County, Sacramento County, San Francisco County

View Profile

“

“At Ordiz-Melby Architects we believe investing in the next generation is one of the best ways to strengthen our communities and the profession. Mentorship is part of that tradition for us. capX gives firms like ours, AIA chapters, and educators a powerful way to come together, share what we’ve learned, and help close the gap between the classroom and practice.”
[Jeannie Bertolaccini, AIA · Ordiz Melby, Inc. · capX Firm ]
About CAF

Enriching Communities Today + Educating Architects for Tommorow.

The California Architectural Foundation is the nonprofit 501(c)(3) of AIA California dedicated to promoting excellence in architecture through scholarships, grants, and educational programs. CAF connects members of the AIA and the public to programs that benefit society, and the profession's future.
Learn About CAF →
Also From CAF

Architecture By the Book

This free education program brings architects into classrooms, after-school programs, and community organizations to introduce young people to the profession, spark curiosity about architecture and design, and explore how the built environment shapes our daily lives.  
Learn More and Volunteer →
Questions?
caf@aiacalifornia.org or call (916) 642-1730