Future architects, designers, and real estate professionals in Newark are getting a direct path to the industry. Newmark Associates, a prominent full-service commercial real estate firm, has announced a partnership with the new Newark School of Architecture & Interior Design to provide formal internship opportunities for students.
The collaboration positions Newmark Associates as the official industry partner for the high school, which is the 65th school in the Newark Public Schools district and focuses on architecture, interior design, building trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC), and real estate.
The internship program, a key part of Newark’s high school design strategy, is engineered to bridge academic study with practical commercial experience, allowing students to apply their skills to real projects in commercial real estate development and management.
Ebony Parham, vice president at Newmark Associates and creator of the internship program, emphasized the value of the hands-on experience. “These internships give students a true window into the commercial real estate industry,” Parham said. “They will work alongside experienced professionals, contribute to real projects, and build skills that translate directly into future career opportunities.”
Through the program, students will gain:
- Exposure to real-world commercial projects.
- Mentorship from industry professionals.
- A deeper understanding of the relationship between design, economics, and the built environment.
Susanne Newmark, president and CEO at Newmark Associates, stated the firm is “honored to support the school’s mission,” noting that the experiences will help “connect academic study to the realities of industry practice.”
The Newark School of Architecture & Interior Design welcomed its first class of 212 ninth graders this fall, who are slated to form the school’s first graduating class in 2029.
Superintendent León praised the partnership for empowering students. “By connecting our students with hands-on internships through Newmark Associates, we are empowering students to apply their design and planning skills in real commercial settings,” León said. “These experiences help our students see themselves as emerging professionals and leaders who will shape the future of Newark and beyond.”
