Students Explore Careers Through Paid Internships

Interns will discuss impact of experience during Spring 2025 Final Exhibition.

From quiet hospice rooms to bustling automotive shops, APS students are diving into real world work experiences, earning $15 an hour and invaluable skills.

Albuquerque Public Schools has about 300 student interns exploring varying career paths, everything from construction and welding jobs to working in national parks and offices. It’s part of the APS Career Connected Learning department’s work-based learning initiative, which aims to help students find a career they’re interested in through internships. 

On April 30, those interns will gather at the Berna Facio Professional Development Complex to showcase the work they’ve done and the skills they’ve developed this semester. The event is open to everyone and will include a community potluck.

“They’re sort of all over the place doing all kinds of different things, hopefully aligned with their career interests,” said Dylan Robinson, a former APS intern himself. Robinson, an APS sophomore studying business administration, is a lead intern supervisor at APS. 

He said the best part of the program is the way it engages students. He said some of the students he encounters at the beginning of the semester are struggling academically and don’t want to go to school. When he sees them again at the end of the semester for the exhibition, Robinson said, they’ve done a 180.

“The same kids who were uninterested are saying, ‘You know, this program really inspired me to come to school.’ And their teachers say they’re doing much better in class. They’re getting better grades and they really feel the work they’re doing is meaningful,” Robinson said. “It’s so great to see that.”

Most of the interns are 16 to 18, although internships are also available to 15-year-old students with work permits. Robinson said most of the internships involve a class component. 

He said high school students interested in a paid internship for next school year should speak to the career technical educator at their school or their school counselor.

Volunteers Needed

The Career Connected Learning department needs your help to make this event possible. If you’re interested in assisting with setup or cleanup, contributing to the community potluck, or serving as a project judge, please let CCL know by filling out the Volunteer Committee Form and/or signing up for the potluck.  

Committee Volunteer Form
- Please fill out the google form if you are interested in being a committee volunteer. 

Potluck Sign Up Form 
- Please fill out the Sign Up Genius form if you are interested in contributing to the community potluck.