Career Feature: Intern to Architectural Associate

Kylee: Three Years in the Making

Kylee Frisbee | Architectural Associate | Sauk Rapids, MN | Architecture | NDSU

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Kylee was drawn to Rice Companies by proximity to home and a company culture that aligned with her own values.

"What originally drew me to the company was how close it is to where I grew up and Rice's strong, family-forward approach," shared Kylee.

What started as a summer internship quickly evolved into a part-time role she carried through the remainder of her architecture degree. Over three years, Kylee worked alongside experienced professionals across a wide range of commercial construction projects. From early schematic design and building code navigation to construction documentation and live client meetings.

One project stands out above the rest. Working on the Palmer Bus Garage gave Kylee her first full-cycle experience in commercial construction. From early design development all the way through to a completed building.

"Getting to do a final walkthrough of the completed building was an amazing feeling,” Kylee reflected. “It was incredibly rewarding to stand in the physical space and think, 'I helped design that.'" 

That hands-on experience in facility design and construction documentation directly informed her senior thesis, a community athletic complex reimagining the former paper mill site in Sartell, Minnesota.

The concept was rooted in adaptive reuse and community-centered design, but what made it stand out was how grounded it was in real-world buildability — something she credits directly to what Kylee learning during her internship experience at Rice Companies.

"Working at Rice Companies helped me understand how architecture operates in the real world,” stated Kylee. “Instead of keeping my thesis purely theoretical, my experience here pushed me to look at the project through a more practical lens."

The most technical skill she developed along the way? Construction documentation and Revit. Core competencies for any architect working in commercial design-build, and tools she now brings to her full-time role every day.

Now an Architectural Associate, Kylee is focused on what comes next, including taking on more design and leading commercial projects from the ground up.

Trey: Built on Shared Values

Trey Hardy | Architectural Associate | Sauk Rapids, MN | Architecture | NDSU

Trey started his internship at Rice Companies' Sauk Rapids, Minnesota location in 2024.

Location played a role in his internship decision, but it wasn't the whole story.

"Initially, Rice Companies stood out to me because it was close to home,” reflected Trey. “After further research, however, I found out that we have similar core values. That was a big reason why I wanted to start my architecture career with Rice."

From the beginning of his internship, Trey was exposed to a range of commercial construction project types that few interns get to see in a single year. His first project was Junior's Academy in Mankato, Minnesota that involved light-wood framing. From there, he moved into pre-engineered metal buildings, working on Premier Stone Design in St. Joseph, Minnesota, which was his first Butler building system project.

"Because of my past work experience, I was familiar with light-wood framing. But at Rice Companies, I got to move into my first pre-engineered metal building, which was a Butler Building,” shared Trey. “That was a completely new experience."

Every one of those experiences fed directly into his senior thesis, which was a memory care facility built around an abandoned gravel pit in Duluth, Minnesota. It's a human-centered design concept that asked what it looked like to repurpose forgotten spaces and required the technical awareness and practical thinking Trey had been developing since day one at Rice Companies.

"My time at Rice has taught me technical and social skills that allowed me to portray my thesis in a more successful way. It taught me to be aware of how something gets built and to be confident when presenting my design and ideas."

When he presented his college senior thesis to the Rice team, that confidence showed. For Trey, the most valuable thing he's taken from his time in Midwest commercial construction wasn’t a software skill or a drafting technique — it was something harder to teach.

"The most valuable thing I've learned at Rice is how to build bridges with co-workers and clients. Building and maintaining relationships is a vital part of architecture and construction, and Rice has shown me the best way to do so."

A Culture That Carries You

Ask either of them what makes Rice Companies different compared to other local commercial construction firm, and they'll point to the people.

Kylee describes it as, "A genuinely family-forward company, a collaborative environment across many different disciplines where everyone truly has your back, and you are always made to feel like your voice and your work matter."

Trey puts it this way, "No matter what question I have, there is someone at Rice that knows the answer. I've had questions ranging from project delivery to general adulting questions, and everyone is willing to help you out. The workplace is inclusive, adaptable, and entertaining."

That kind of environment is what turns a summer internship into a career and it's a big part of what makes Rice Companies a trusted commercial construction partner across the Midwest. The thesis presentations weren't only an academic milestone. They were also a reflection of everything Trey and Kylee have built here and a preview of exciting things to come.