Intel announces new local student hiring initiative with New Mexico colleges and universities
Intel in Rio Rancho announced this week the kick-off of their new Student Work Program to support its $3.5 billion investment to expand manufacturing operations. The program will start with at least 70 new paid student interns, with the potential to expand into the future.
Local colleges and universities – including New Mexico State University, the University of New Mexico, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Central New Mexico Community College, and San Juan College – are partnering with Intel on this initiative. [Partner quotes below]
Student participants will have opportunities for hands-on learning experiences relevant to what they study in school, as well as networking and benefit opportunities and developmental coaching from Intel managers. The program will also help in the company’s efforts to strengthen their talent pipeline and encourage local hiring.
“With our coming expansion, we plan to create at least 700 new high-tech jobs in the next few years, many of which we hope to fill with local talent,” Erika Edgerly, Intel New Mexico Public Affairs Director said. “Through this program, our aim is to not only provide learning experiences for New Mexico students, but also to develop them so they are ready to enter the workforce at graduation.”
Intel will hire 50 undergraduate and graduate engineering interns and 20 technician interns, all of whom will take ownership of projects and be treated as valued members of their teams. Internships are 12-week or year-round, with part-time and full-time options depending on business and intern needs.
“We are proud to be partnering with New Mexico colleges and universities on this program to continue to encourage STEM interest and graduation,” Edgerly stated. “And we also hope that interested applicants from around the state consider applying and join us on our exciting journey ahead.”
Select openings are already posted at www.intel.com/nmjobs.
Partner quotes in alphabetical order by institution:
“Central New Mexico Community College has been a key workforce development partner with Intel since it came to Rio Rancho in 1980, and we’re honored to be continuing that partnership today and into the future,” said CNM President Tracy Hartzler. “Our latest partnership with Intel has led to CNM launching an Artificial Intelligence program to our students this fall, which will help us address the need for many more skilled workers in this fast-growing field. And with the economic hardships caused by the pandemic, it’s great timing to launch this cutting-edge program to help reskill and upskill New Mexicans so they can gain high-quality employment with great companies like Intel.”
“NMSU is excited to partner with Intel as they expand employment opportunities in New Mexico. Our engineering graduates are in high demand and we are particularly pleased to work with NM-based businesses like Intel to retain this great talent in-state,” said Patricia Sullivan, NMSU Associate Dean for Engineering.
“New Mexico Tech is excited to partner with Intel for this initiative and provide our students with yet another opportunity to apply concepts from the classroom in a real-world setting,” shared Dr. Stephen G. Wells, President of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. “This program connects our students with one of our state’s leading industries via internships and provides the students with excellent professional opportunities after graduation right here in New Mexico. This type of program is a cornerstone of the New Mexico Tech educational experience that helps build an advanced workforce for New Mexico. Our university is proud to have this collaboration with Intel, and through this partnership offer hands-on experiences to our students while aiding industry partners like Intel with their efforts here in our state.”
San Juan College President, Dr. Toni Hopper Pendergrass, shared “San Juan College is committed to meeting the needs of New Mexico employers. We value our relationship with Intel and look forward to the many opportunities for our students through this partnership. Working together, we know that students will have high quality experiences and be prepared for meaningful careers, and our students in Farmington look forward to expanded options for work and learning.”
Christos Christodoulou, the University of New Mexico’s Jim and Ellen King Dean of Engineering and Computing shared, “The UNM School of Engineering is very proud to be partnering with Intel to connect them with some of our amazing student talent. It’s a great opportunity not just for Intel to gain highly-skilled workers, but also for our students and recent graduates to gain valuable experience and put their education into action.”