DACC, Dona Ana County collaborate on water technology

Dona Ana Community College and Dona Ana County collaborated to launch a new water technology internship program that reinforces the idea of giving students the opportunity to get real hands-on experience while preparing them for careers in water and wastewater operations.  

The partnership was created by a memorandum of understanding that was signed on Jan. 23 which creates paid internship opportunities for students who are enrolled in DACC’s water technology internship program.Interns will work alongside official staff members in the Dona Ana County utilities program, gaining experience and training in water and wastewater operations.  

Four students will be accepted into the program in the spring or fall. Interns will make about $20 per hour, receive training and mentorship from the utilities staff, and learn the day-to-day responsibilities of wastewater treatment operations.  

“One of our big things is let’s make water sexy,” said Travis Hawkins the Department Chair for Commercial Technologies. “Everybody needs water, so being able to get this kind of thing going and get the program out there increases attention and recruitment.”  

Hawkins mentioned the partnership also responds to a growing workforce demand in the region by creating opportunities at an earlier age for students entering this field.  

“We’re seeing a large need for water technicians in our region, so having this partnership allows us to get paid internships for our students,” he said.  

The internship is designed to help prepare students for careers in the field of water and wastewater, while also supporting Doña Ana County's own efforts to help create a skilled and local workforce that is essential for public services.  

Alejandro Salas, the instructor for DACC’s water technology program, noted that the internship allows students to experience and grasp the realities of working in a large utility operation.  

“They will be able to see day-to-day operations and how large facilities operate,” Salas said. “It’s a collaborative effort, not just one person. Students get to interact with a team, communicate with staff, and see how everything works together.”  

The hands-on aspect of the internship is important, as Salas mentioned it is valuable because it allows students to apply what they learned in the classroom directly to the field. 

“It is a real utility,” he said.” It’s not just something constrained to a small classroom. Students are applying what they learn out in the real world with experienced professionals.” 

For students within the program, the internship supplies an opportunity to gain real experience, while examining long-term career paths in the water industry.  

Diego Barria, a second-semester student involved in DACC’s Water Technology Program, spoke about the program. 

“As far as skills, I want to learn pretty much anything that has to do with water treatment,” Barria said. “From filtering to wastewater treatment, that’s what really interests me about this program.”  

Barria discussed how his background in controlled environment agriculture helped to influence his decision to pursue water technology as a career. 

“I have a degree from Santa Fe in controlled-environment agriculture, and working with aquaponic systems made this feel like a natural evolution for me,” he said.  

Dario Mendoza, a student in the program, said he was initially drawn to the internship because of its connection to the community and its philosophy. 

“I wanted something hands-on, and I wanted to help my community in some way,” Mendoza said. “That’s what made this program stand out to me.”  

With paid experience, mentorship, and real-career training, the water technology program aims to prepare students for a variety of careers in this field, while supporting the region’s growing demand for skilled and trained water professionals.