Student Participation

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Recruitment for Fall 2024 internships is happening now!

Email Thomasinia Ortiz-Gallegos at thomasinia.ortizgall@sfcc.edu

Criteria for Admission

The PILAS Internship Program is open to SFCC students who meet the following criteria:

  • Have completed at least 1 semester at SFCC in Criteria for Admission
  • Are 18 years or older
  • Have reliable transportation
  • Are willing to DAILY check and respond to SFCC email
  • Maintain a “C” or better during the semester of the internship
  • Agree to abide by the Professional Code of Conduct for the PILAS Internship Program

PILAS matches students with internships in their academic majors at local businesses. Application for an internship is not a guarantee of placement. Interns receive both academic credit and an hourly wage for their internship work experience. Students must meet ALL professional and academic requirements of the PILAS Internship Program in order to get paid and a grade.

Students work 120 or 180 hours in their internship over 12 weeks. In addition, interns attend three seminars at SFCC, submit a midterm and final paper, complete a final resume and cover letter, work closely with their PILAS Faculty Advisor, and learn interview, networking, communication and other professional development skills to earn 3 academic credits for the course.

Please click on the Overview of PILAS– Students for more information.

PILAS interns believe in the value of this program. According to a December survey:
– 91% found the experience valuable in relation to their academic studies
– 94% found the work experience valuable in relation to their future career
– 100% were likely to recommend PILAS to other students

Application Process

  • Complete the PILAS Internship Application and Student Application Essay and submit via email to Internship Coordinator by stated deadline. DO NOT LEAVE ANY BLANKS ON YOUR FORM. All applicants will receive an email response confirming receipt of application and essay along with instructions for next steps to determine admission into the program.
  • Attend meeting with PILAS Faculty Advisor in your academic area and Internship Coordinator to determine admission into program.

All students must agree to the following professional codes of conduct during their internship. This agreement will be signed in Canvas once admitted to the PILAS Internship Program. Breaking this agreement on more than one occasion may be grounds for dismissal from the PILAS internship program.

This Code of Conduct includes but is not limited to:

Professional Behavioral and Communication Skills: Demonstrated by excellent and on-time attendance; calling with advanced notice of absence, lateness, or need for time off; courteous and collaborative behavior; accurate work; meeting deadlines; following through on assigned and promised tasks; adhering to employee standards; and taking appropriate initiative to offer solutions to company needs. Also demonstrated by responding within 1 day (2 days at the most) to SFCC emails or phone messages from Internship Coordinator, Faculty Advisor, and/or Mentor. No texting will be available between students and Internship Coordinator.

Dress Code: Professional dress is required at all times. Avoid low cut tops that show cleavage; low slung pants; wrinkled, torn, or dirty clothing or shoes; tube tops; shorts; flip flops; excessive makeup or perfume/cologne, etc.

Cell Phone Etiquette: Review the cell phone policy with your Mentor. Turn off ringer and vibrate, unless you are expecting a very important call; if this is the case, inform your Mentor ahead of time and then quietly excuse yourself and take the call privately. Put your phone away so you won’t be tempted to use it. Never talk on your cell phone in the bathroom. Let voicemail pick up your calls and respond to texts only during your breaks. And never look at your cell phone during a meeting, unless you are expecting an urgent call/text.

This internship is helping me find my passion. I learned to lobby and speak to the legislature and representatives and found my voice as people asked my opinions. I really widened my lens and realized I do have a say in these matters.” -Adriana Aguirre, Film Production Intern, Stagecoach Foundation

During this internship I have learned not just engineering skills but about my own strengths and weaknesses. I’m encouraged to dive into problems and figure them out, even if it takes a few tries. I definitely want to proceed with research and scientific work as my career progresses.” -Ethan Price, R&D Test Technician, STAR Cryoelectronics

I really have enjoyed learning how to solder, use the 3D printer, and the Infusion 360 program to design. Because it’s hands-on, now I know for sure that I’m on the right career path.” -Yaniksa Mata-Solis, Manufacturing and Production Intern, Mesa Photonics

In each phase of this internship I am more convinced that the career I have chosen, crime scene technician, is right for me. I am passionate about the opportunity to find the truth of the circumstances surrounding an accidental or suspicious death.” -Lorri Sweat, Crime Scene Intern, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office

What a great opportunity to spend so much time recovering computers. All my prior studies were on virtual simulators. It was fantastic working with Prakash to learn how it all really worked using new tools and software. I even verified my new learnings by troubleshooting my own computers with success!
-Natanael Dominguez-Rascon, Information Technology Intern, NM State Personnel Office

For more information, contact Thomasinia Ortiz-Gallegos  at thomasinia.ortizgall@sfcc.edu | 505-428-1238