Building the Future: Meet the 2026 Interns of Albert Kahn Associates
The world runs on "next." The next technology. The next opportunity. The next idea nobody has shared yet. At Albert Kahn Associates, we know "next" doesn't happen on its own. It takes young voices willing to ask questions and suggest new ideas. Albert Kahn himself was proof of that: at just 22, he became chief designer at Mason & Young, the firm that would launch him into shaping Detroit's skyline. That's the spirit Albert Kahn Associates has built into its DNA for over 130 years: the belief that "next" only arrives if you make room for young voices to speak up. Meet the 2026 Albert Kahn interns who are helping shape the future of the firm: Olivia Thompson in Mechanical Engineering, Keon-Ho Lee in Architecture, and Isaiah Hilkemann in Electrical Engineering. Over the course of the summer, they've worked on live projects, learned industry-standard tools like Revit, and gotten a firsthand look at what it means to design for real clients. Here's what they had to say about their time with us.
Olivia Thompson – Mechanical Engineering
Olivia is about to enter her fourth year as a Mechanical Engineering student at Michigan Technological University in their Mechanical Engineering program. When she is not in class, you may find her practicing for the MTU Dance Team, or working in the Engineering Learning Center, aiding students in core mechanical engineering classes at the university. During a reflection interview on Olivia’s summer here at Kahn, she gave some thoughtful insight into her background and journey to the Kahn program:
Olivia, what drew you to mechanical engineering?
OT: I've loved math and science since elementary school, and I've always had a love for crafting and building things too. My dad has a degree in aerospace engineering and his career is more focused on mechanical engineering. He’s the one who really opened my eyes to the field. What hooked me was how mechanical engineering blends creativity with math and science, and how many different paths the major can lead you. With the right experience, you can go just about anywhere in this field.
Why Albert Kahn?
OT: I learned about Albert Kahn at the MTU career fair. Most of the other companies with engineering roles were automotive or aerospace, which wasn't really what I was passionate about. I once considered becoming an architect, so finding an architecture firm with an engineering department sparked my interest. When I began to research the firm, I learned about the Polk Penguin Conservation Center at the Detroit Zoo. It combines two things I'm really interested in: engineering and animals. That sealed it for me.
What kinds of projects have you been working on this summer?
OT: I spent my early weeks training in Revit. I had zero experience in that software before Kahn. Since then, I've helped draw ductwork and piping for an automotive manufacturing plant, and I was also brought on as a lead on a confidential commercial project, working alongside mechanical engineering teammates Fefe Asidi and Alisha Kennedy.
What advice would you give to next year’s interns?
OT: Ask a lot of questions and learn as much as you can while you're here. It is a very welcoming environment with a lot of collaboration. Everyone is here to help, no matter what. And, lastly, don't get frustrated with Revit!
If you could design or engineer anything, no budgets or constraints, what would it be?
OT: I love animals, so I would love to help build a zoo or animal sanctuary. The Polk Penguin Conservation Center was something that drew me to Kahn. The more you look at that project, the more engineering you see. There are very specific lighting and heating systems used for the wellbeing of the animals. The public might not necessarily see it, but the animals thrive with those systems. I would love to be involved in a project like that.
Fefe Asidi: Albert Kahn Associate and member of the Mechanical Engineering team, on working with Olivia this summer:
“Olivia has been wonderful to work with! She’s a quick learner, hardworking, and always eager to expose herself to different projects. She presents herself as a quiet, shy person but trust me when I say she has a quirky side and has a lot more to give! I can’t wait to see her grow in her career as an emerging mechanical engineer.”
Keon-Ho Lee - Architectural
Keon, originally from Korea, is entering his third and final year at University of Michigan, pursuing a Master of Architecture degree. He is the VP of KSAG (Korean Student Association – Graduate students). Before coming to the United States for his graduate studies, he received his bachelor's degree in Korea and worked at an architecture firm in his home country for three years. During a discussion on Keon’s time here at Kahn, this is what he had to say:
Keon, already having a background in architecture, what has stretched your skills this summer?
KL: I got a lot of experience in Revit this summer. Every firm uses it in the field, and I learned a little about it before coming to Albert Kahn, but this is the first time I've had the chance to really apply it to real projects. It's difficult to learn but incredibly useful.
What have you been working on this summer?
KL: I have been working on a project for a power plant. Day-to-day, I help contribute to the drawings for office spaces in software like Revit. Before Kahn, I hadn’t had much practical, hands-on experience with this software, so I have been able to practice and strengthen my skills a lot through these projects.
How does your time at Albert Kahn compare to your experiences in the classroom?
KL: It's a completely different experience from University of Michigan. School is more about conceptual work, but here I'm learning real, practical skills that I can use as I continue in my career. I worked at a firm in Korea for three years before this, mostly on residential projects, and it felt like making a product to sell. Here, we have actual clients we're customizing for. It's a lot more personal. Each client has unique needs, and we offer unique solutions to each of them.
Overall. How can you describe your experience at Albert Kahn Associates this summer?
KL: It's been a really great opportunity, such a different experience from my education and the other firm I worked for. It feels like a bridge between education and a career in the United States. Everyone here knows I'm an intern, but it feels like they're all trying to teach me something during my time here.
If you could design or engineer anything, no budgets or constraints, what would it be?
KL: A museum or gallery. A lot of the projects I've worked on, both residential and industrial, are very calculated, tied closely to budget and space constraints. No space goes unused. Public spaces like museums and galleries have relatively less pressure around that, so there's more room to spread out and be creative. I think it would be fun to do something focused on the art of architecture and community.
Matthew Ruiter, Co-op Ambassador and Architectural Design Professional, on his mentoring experience with Keon this summer:
“It was great to see Keon’s enthusiasm in learning about both his own area and the other disciplines that make up an architectural project! I hope these lessons, both technical and coordination wise, will let him be a better student of architecture, and, in the future, architect.”
Isaiah Hilkemann - Electrical Engineering
Isaiah, rising into his third year at Michigan Technological University, is working to complete a double major in electrical engineering and theater and entertainment technology. During our discussion, we dove into the reasons Isaiah pursued electrical engineering, and how those passions led him to Albert Kahn:
Isaiah, what inspired you to pursue electrical engineering?
IH: My introduction to electrical engineering came from my time in theater in middle school and high school. I first started on the sound team, then eventually transitioned to the lighting department. At some point I started getting curious about the engineering side of it. I realized electrical engineering was a pathway that could give me a variety of opportunities after college, without sacrificing something I’m passionate about. That’s what really drew me to the major.
What have you been working on this summer, and how has it helped you stretch your skills?
IH: A lot of my time has gone into a manufacturing project on the electrical side. But a good chunk of my summer has also gone into reading through building codes and helping update our internal documentation. It has given me a deeper understanding of the rules and standards that shape every decision on a project before a single wire gets drawn. This summer has given me a lot of hands-on experience in best practices, budgeting protocol, and workflows.
How does your time here at Kahn compare to your experience in the classroom?
IH: School tends to focus on your specific major. When you're in electrical engineering classes, you only focus on that. Here, we have so many different departments and people to consider. I'm seeing how electrical decisions connect to architecture, mechanical systems, and to the client's actual needs. You are involved in the entire process here.
What advice do you have for next year’s interns?
IH: Ask a lot of questions. It's so much better to slow down and make sure you actually understand something than to guess, get it wrong, and then have to redo it. Also, go to the “Lunch-and-Learn" sessions. It's an easy way to pick up knowledge outside of whatever project you're heads-down on.
If you could design or engineer anything, no budgets or constraints, what would it be?
IH: I'd want to design some kind of theater space but built around mixed-use development. It would not just be a traditional stage, but something with interactive spaces built in, maybe geared toward experimental or interactive performance pieces. Or even elements of a gallery or museum, so it’s not just a place where you can watch something. It’s a place to interact with art as well.
Russell LaBeau: Albert Kahn Associate, Co-op Ambassador, and member of IT Systems Engineering at Kahn, on working with Isaiah this summer:
“Over this summer, Isaiah has shown that he is a technical, passionate, and driven team member. Whenever assigned a task, he consistently went above and beyond what was expected and took it upon himself to propose and carry out additional work that he knew would benefit the Electrical Engineering department as a whole. Isaiah's passion for Lighting Design and Electrical Engineering is exceptional, and I'm sure he has a very bright future ahead of him.”
As summer winds down, Olivia, Keon, and Isaiah carry with them more than just Revit skills and project experience. They've had a glimpse of what it means to build for real people, real clients, and real communities. Their curiosity, work ethic, and willingness to ask questions embody exactly what Albert Kahn Associates looks for in the next generation of designers and engineers. As Albert Kahn himself once proved, big careers can start with a single opportunity and the courage to speak up. We're proud to have each of them play a role in the Kahn legacy, and we can't wait to see where "next" takes them.