New Mexico Expands Paid Summer Internships for High School Students

New Mexico will offer up to 3,000 paid summer internships for high school students next year, officials announced on December 9, expanding a program launched in 2021. The eight week placements will focus on high demand industries identified by the Department of Workforce Solutions and are intended to give students practical experience that complements classroom learning.

The expansion is being carried out through a statewide coalition led by Education at Work, with American Student Assistance and the Work Based Learning Alliance as partners. American Student Assistance will provide career exploration tools, structured learning activities, and program management. The Work Based Learning Alliance will use its technology platform to guide students through structured activities and a final project to help them reflect on their experiences and plan for college, job training, or employment after high school. “Students from every corner of our state can explore careers, gain hands-on skills, and chart a path to a meaningful future,” Public Education Sec. Mariana D. Padilla said. “As AI and automation transform the nature of first jobs and early career experiences, students need to graduate not just with an education, but with practical, hands-on work experience,” Jane Swift, chief executive officer of Education at Work and former governor of Massachusetts, said.

Research cited by program partners underscores the need for early work exposure. Fewer than half of Gen Z students report having enough information to choose a post high school path, and while nearly 80 percent say they want work experience before graduation, only 34 percent know about available opportunities and just 2 percent have completed an internship. The program’s materials note New Mexico as a national model for work based learning.

For McKinley County students the expansion could open pathways into health care, technology, and other locally relevant fields, creating pipelines to employment and reducing barriers for young people who live in rural and tribal communities. Paid internships can improve economic equity by ensuring students are not forced to choose paid noneducational work over career relevant experience. They also support long term public health goals by strengthening local workforce capacity in health related occupations.

Local employers from small businesses to national companies with a presence in the state are invited to host paid interns. Interested companies can learn more and sign up by contacting nminterns@eaw.org.