(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – July 20, 2026) — This summer, El Paso ISD high school students stepped beyond the classroom and into professional settings through the district’s newly expanded Summer Internship Program, gaining hands-on experience while exploring potential career pathways before graduation.
Developed by the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department, the competitive program connected students with local employers and organizations to build technical skills, develop professional networks, and gain firsthand experience in industries aligned with their future goals.
Through strategic partnerships with various organizations across the region, students participated in internships with El Paso Electric, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), the City of El Paso, Spectrum, EPCC Rio Grande Border Health Clinic, and many more.
"At UTEP, we're committed to helping students see themselves as future college graduates and professionals," said Lucero Macias, assistant vice president for Outreach and Student Access at The University of Texas at El Paso. "By welcoming El Paso ISD students into our campus and workplaces, we're giving them meaningful experiences that build confidence, expand their career aspirations and help them envision the opportunities that higher education can provide.”
The opportunities allowed students to explore careers in fields including engineering, technology, public service, and animal science while learning directly from professionals in their industries.
“An internship isn’t just about figuring out what you love; it’s also about discovering where your true strengths lie before spending years studying a field in college,” said Michael Rodriguez, CTE Business and Industry Coordinator. “By immersing themselves in professional environments early, our students gain invaluable clarity about their future academic and career paths. This program helps them make highly informed decisions about their next steps.”
For many students, the summer experience provided a direct connection between their classroom learning and future career aspirations.
Evan Delgado, an incoming senior at Chapin High School, spent his internship at El Paso Electric’s Montana Power Station, where he explored the mechanics behind power generation while gaining insight into engineering careers.
“One of the main things I’ve learned was how electricity is actually generated. The main component of electricity generation is a jet engine,” Delgado said. “It’s these things that have opened my mind into how intensive it is to provide electricity for me to charge my phone or turn on the lights at night.”
Delgado said the internship connected closely with his goal of becoming an aerospace engineer.
“This place was fitting since my dream job is to be an aerospace engineer at Lockheed Martin, so I get to see jet engines up close and learn how they work,” Delgado said. “I want to study aerospace engineering at UTEP once I graduate from Chapin, and I think this internship will be an important stepping stone to furthering my career.”
The Summer Internship Program also provided students with opportunities to explore careers outside traditional classroom settings. At the El Paso Zoo, students gained hands-on experience while learning about careers related to animal care, conservation, and environmental education.
The program represents the importance of connecting education with real-world experiences and building partnerships that support student success.
As a newly expanded initiative, district organizers will continue gathering feedback from students and community partners while identifying opportunities to expand internship placements for future cohorts.
Through partnerships with local industry leaders, El Paso ISD continues expanding opportunities for students to explore careers, develop professional skills, and prepare for success beyond graduation.