The University of New Mexico-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) announced recently the continuation of the Community Internship Collaboration (CIC) program in the Fall 2019 semester. UNM-LA is seeking local business partners to expand the range of internships available to interested students.
The CIC program gives students the opportunity to work with area businesses and nonprofits engaged in meaningful work experiences for students while developing a future skilled workforce for the region.
The CIC program was launched in 2015, as a joint partnership of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Security, LLC, UNM-Los Alamos, Los Alamos High School, and the Small Business Development Center. Initially funding for students’ salaries and other operational costs was provided through a grant from Los Alamos National Security, LLC. In 2017, the Los Alamos 100+ Women Who Care provided a generous grant to support the CIC program.
In the past two years, support has continued to be provided by other outside sources.
Businesses that partner with UNM-LA in the CIC identify a project-based work experience and mentor student interns with the skills and knowledge required to complete the project. Students commit to work up to six hours per week over the course of 10 weeks, and to participate in seminars at UNM-LA addressing a variety of business soft skills and the work they are doing in their internship.
Past business mentors have commented on the benefits of the additional energy and fresh perspective their interns provided. Some of the past internships have included:marketing, legal clerk, web development, journalist, culinary apprentice, film, data and market analyst, working with computer systems, early childhood curriculum developer and photographer’s assistant.
Students will apply for the positions that match their interests and skill sets with an application and cover letter. The mentors then have the opportunity to interview the students who apply, and offer the position to their preferred candidate.
Any business or organization interested in offering an internship should email cic@unm.edu, visit losalamos.unm.edu/cic/ or contact UNM-LA Student Success Specialist Tony Gallegos at (505) 663-3406.
UNM-Los Alamos is an innovative, rigorous, and affordable comprehensive branch community college that provides foundations for transfer, leading-edge career programs, and lifelong learning opportunities. For more information, visit UNM-LA.