A student and mentor pose in front of an exhibit at Explora.

X3 Internships

Outside the classroom, inside the workforce

An innovative work-based learning model that works for New Mexico.

X3 is a paid internship for high school and early college-age students that pairs interns with local employers to build homegrown talent.

Real-world Learning: Students are embedded with local employers, learning essential skills and building a stronger workforce pipeline.
Financial Equity: Interns earn a stipend that respects their time and contributes to their family, replacing minimum wage jobs that offer little learning with rich work experiences that build resumes.
Social Capital: X3 builds professional connections that transform into new career paths—ensuring historically underserved students receive the mentorship and opportunities they deserve.

An intern poses in front of a workshop at Explora.

X3 for
High Schoolers

X3 Next for Early
College/Career

X3 for Employers

Internship Stories

A Day in the life of X3:
Construction/
Engineering
X3 intern Marcos, a student at CNM, worked with local construction firm Bradbury Stamm, and got new insights into what that career path looks like, gaining professional skills and new network connections along the way.
A Day in the life of X3:
City Government/
Administration
Take a day-in-the-life tour with Amarisa Barboa, an X3 intern at the City of Albuquerque Office of Equity Inclusion.
A Day in the life of X3:
Outdoor Recreation/
Conservation
Follow along as Sarah Joy Randall gives us a day-in-the-life tour of her outdoor recreation internship with the Friends of the Organ Mountains.
"First Steps"
Liset never imagined a future outside of fast food. Through her X3 internship, she now has the work experience she needed to create a new career path for herself and her family.
X3 Testimonials: Cheyeanne Frazier
How does the X3 experience affect a student's future? X3 internships helped show Cheyeanne her areas of passion.
X3 Testimonials: Marcus Arellano
Being an X3 intern can radically change a student’s confidence and career path. Listen to Marcus’s testimonial.
X3 Testimonials: Mariana Grajeda
X3 internships can change the trajectory of a student’s life. Listen to Mariana Grajeda’s story—a young mother and X3 intern with an incredible journey.
A Day in the Life of X3: Healthcare
Cesiah Gonzales, a senior at Health Leadership High School, became an X3 intern at the University of New Mexico Hospital as a medical assistant. She fell in love with the profession and is now pursing a career in nursing thanks to her exposure and experience via X3.

X3 High School Internships

Explore, Experience, Expand

Explore new careers, experience real-word work, and expand possibilities for your future.

As an intern you’ll receive:

One-on-one mentorship and coaching
On-the-job experience
School credit
Resume skill-building
Pay stipend
Mental health support and social-emotional learning
Assistance with transportation or childcare

X3 intern wearing scrubs and a stethoscope and taking notes.

Types of Internships

Individual internship

Meaningful, on-site internships at local businesses with individual mentors
13 weeks, 12 hours/week, monthly stipend
Interns are fully supported by the X3 team

Group internship

Theme-based group internships, held in person, virtual, or hybrid
A supportive team environment, career exploration, and work readiness skill development
10 weeks, 6 hours/week, monthly stipend

Apply for X3 Albuquerque

Apply for X3 Northern NM

Apply for a group internship

Get involved

Frequently Asked Questions

I would rather set my own goals and expectations and take initiative to develop my own project, rather than have someone come in and give me these numbers and prompts that have no connection to my identity or culture.

—Lakin Epaloose,
Zuni High School capstone student

Watch Lakin's capstone video

I loved the hands-on work and how it paired with my senior project in art therapy. I was in a project-based class at Health Leadership High School, and my topic was painting as a representation of mental health. Thanks to this internship, my senior project in art therapy came together beautifully, and I graduated in the class of 2019!

—Kelly Contreras,
X3 intern

X3 NeXt Internships

A student writes on sticky notes on a whiteboard while another student looks on.

Take the NeXt step

The X3 NeXt program is designed for young people who have earned their high school diploma or GED equivalent and are interested in exploring career options through real-world experiences.

The NeXt program pairs students with local employers to gain work-based experience while they earn certificates and degrees from 2- or 4-year colleges and/or other training programs.

Apply for X3 NeXt

NeXt Frequently Asked Questions

X3 for Employers

An X3 mentor and student pose in an office.

Meet student potential with possibility

By welcoming an X3 intern into your business, you actively shape future talent in your profession and help build a vibrant entry-level workforce in your community.

X3 Mentor Stories

X3 Mentor Testimonial - Dante Gonzales

Dante shares his experience as a minority trying to get an internship and how the X3 internship program is creating accessible internships for youth in Albuquerque. Dante was impressed with the interns that were placed at Bradbury Stamm Construction who were able to produce high quality 3D models and are now working for them directly.

X3 Mentor Testimonial - Arlenda Thompson

Mentor Arlenda speaks about how the X3 interns she mentored at the University of New Mexico Hospital Family Clinic Unit were eager to learn. Her interns were able to perform medical assistant duties within weeks.

X3 Mentor Testimonial - Delcie Dobrovolny

Listen to Delcie recount how the interns placed at Equiterra Regenerative Design learned something new about themselves and career aspirations.

X3 Mentor Testimonial - Dante Gonzales
Dante shares his experience as a minority trying to get an internship and how the X3 internship program is creating accessible internships for youth in Albuquerque. Dante was impressed with the interns that were placed at Bradbury Stamm Construction who were able to produce high quality 3D models and are now working for them directly.
X3 Mentor Testimonial - Arlenda Thompson
Mentor Arlenda speaks about how the X3 interns she mentored at the University of New Mexico Hospital Family Clinic Unit were eager to learn. Her interns were able to perform medical assistant duties within weeks.
X3 Mentor Testimonial - Delcie Dobrovolny
Listen to Delcie recount how the interns placed at Equiterra Regenerative Design learned something new about themselves and career aspirations.

Mentor Frequently Asked Questions

Through the X3 program, we are able to empower young people and teach them how to be supportive and be an advocate. It helps them build skills around compassion and empathy—which is great for them and the community as a whole.

—Charles Dorsey,
X3 Mentor and School Social Worker, Technology Leadership High School

Sponsor a Student

A student with headphones on and recording equipment

Make a tangible contribution to building a more equitable and vibrant workforce.

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS:
$6,000 to sponsor one student for the full year
$3,000 to sponsor one student for one session
$1,500 to sponsor two group interns

Ready to sponsor an intern?
Please reach out to Mistie at [email protected]

Questions?

X3 High School FAQ

NeXt FAQ

Mentor FAQ

X3 Internships

X3 for
High Schoolers

X3 for
High Schoolers

X3 Next for Early
College/Career

X3 Next for Early
College/Career

X3 for Employers

X3 for Employers

Internship Stories

A Day in the life of X3:
Construction/
Engineering

A Day in the life of X3:
City Government/
Administration

A Day in the life of X3:
Outdoor Recreation/
Conservation

"First Steps"

X3 Testimonials: Cheyeanne Frazier

X3 Testimonials: Marcus Arellano

X3 Testimonials: Mariana Grajeda

A Day in the Life of X3: Healthcare