Externships

Between each school year at American College of the Building Arts, students complete externships at real world companies, to hone their skills and learn from skilled craftsmen in the field all over the country, and all over the world.

These externships are a core part of the ACPA experience because they bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice. Students apply techniques they’ve learned—whether in woodworking, masonry, plaster, or other trades—in real jobsite conditions where precision, efficiency, and problem-solving matter daily. Working alongside experienced artisans exposes them to industry standards, new tools, and diverse approaches that can’t be fully replicated in a school setting.

Below are descriptions of each of the companies I completed externships at, followed by photos of the projects I worked on at each of these companies. 

DeCicco Woodshop

During my time at DeCicco Woodshop, I learned what it takes to bring a project from raw material all the way to a finished piece. Starting with live edge slabs and resawing them into usable boards taught me precision, and the importance of proper milling. I gained hands-on experience with tools like the track saw, bandsaw, jointer/planer combo, and Festool sanders, and developed a much deeper understanding of panel glue-ups, grain orientation, and achieving flat, seamless surfaces. Working through processes like chamfers, dados, dominos, and epoxy glue-ups showed me how critical accuracy is at every stage, especially when small errors compound in large assemblies.

I also learned a lot about finishing and attention to detail, from filling imperfections with CA glue and epoxy to applying Rubio Monocoat for a high-quality final surface. Beyond furniture making, my introduction to woodturning on the lathe gave me a completely new perspective on shaping wood, especially with spindle and bowl turning techniques. This externship strengthened my technical woodworking skills and showed me the full workflow of fine furniture making, while also highlighting areas I want to continue improving, like design involvement and more advanced joinery.

Danz Hands

At Danz Hands, I gained valuable real-world experience working in residential construction, repair, and custom projects. I learned practical skills like framing walls and ceilings, installing decking, building stair rails, and understanding building codes and structural considerations. These projects taught me how to adapt to imperfect conditions, such as working on uneven surfaces or repairing previous construction mistakes, and reinforced the importance of keeping everything level, square, and structurally sound. I also became more comfortable using a wider range of tools in fast-paced jobsite environments.

One of the most impactful parts of this externship was the opportunity to work directly with clients and take part in the design process. Projects like the large gate, fold-out picture frame table, and violin display built-in allowed me to develop skills in problem-solving, planning, and turning a client’s vision into a functional, finished product. I learned how to estimate materials, create cut lists, and think through installation challenges before they happen. This experience helped me grow not just as a craftsman, but as a professional—building confidence in communication, time management, and the ability to handle complex, real-world projects from start to finish.

For my second externship, I visited Teton Timber Framing on the border between Idaho and Wyoming, which is run by a graduate of ACBA.