2026 Internship

Description

Grow Your Career with McHale Landscape Design

Looking for an internship where you can do more than observe?

At McHale Landscape Design, our interns gain hands-on experience working alongside experienced professionals and contributing to real projects. Whether your interests are in landscape architecture and design, horticulture, or landscape maintenance, our internship program is designed to help you apply what you’ve learned in the classroom while developing practical skills for your future career.

Founded in 1981, McHale Landscape Design is a family-owned, full-service residential landscape design-build company serving clients throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. Our integrated approach brings landscape architecture, construction, horticulture, and maintenance together to create and care for exceptional outdoor environments.

What You’ll Experience

Our structured internship program gives students exposure to the day-to-day work of the landscape industry while providing mentorship, professional development, and opportunities to contribute as part of the McHale team.

Depending on your internship track, you may gain experience with:

Landscape Architecture & Design

• Site visits, field measurements, and site analysis
• Landscape plans and design concepts
• CAD and other industry design tools
• Plant selection and landscape materials
• Collaboration with landscape architects, designers, and production teams
• Exposure to projects from initial design through installation
• Client-focused design and project coordination

Landscape Maintenance & Horticulture

• Plant identification and plant health
• Garden and landscape maintenance practices
• Turf care and landscape management
• Seasonal landscape operations
• Property assessments and quality standards
• Client service and communication
• Exposure to our nursery, production, and field operations

What You’ll Gain

At McHale, interns are encouraged to ask questions, take initiative, and become part of the team. Our goal is for you to leave the program with meaningful experience and a better understanding of where your interests can take you within the landscape profession.

Interns may receive:

• Competitive pay
• An 8-week structured internship experience
• Direct mentorship from experienced landscape professionals
• Hands-on experience with real projects and clients
• Exposure to McHale’s integrated design-build-maintain process
• Opportunities to visit active jobsites and our private nursery
• Professional development and networking opportunities
• Company events and team-building activities
• Housing assistance, when applicable
• Consideration for future internships or full-time career opportunities

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for students who are curious, dependable, eager to learn, and ready to gain real-world experience.

More Than an Internship

An internship at McHale is an opportunity to explore the many career paths available within the landscape industry while learning from professionals who have built their careers here.

With a team of more than 350 professionals and expertise spanning landscape architecture, design, construction, horticulture, maintenance, and nursery operations, McHale gives interns the opportunity to see how all parts of the landscape profession come together.

Come learn with us, contribute to real work, and start building your future in the landscape industry.

Ready to grow with McHale? Apply today.

Requirements

Internship Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university
• Junior year or above at the time of the internship
• In good academic standing
• Interest in landscape architecture, landscape design, horticulture, landscape management, or a related field
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Willingness to learn, ask questions, and take initiative
• Ability to work collaboratively in both office and field environments, depending on the internship assignment

Students applying for a Landscape Architecture or Design internship are encouraged to submit a portfolio or examples of relevant academic work.