El Paso Electric Manages Beyond Pandemic To Safely Maintain Annual College Summer Internship Program

EL PASO, TX – El Paso Electric (EPE) officially welcomes its newest cohort of eight college scholars for the Company’s 9^th annual summer internship program. College students will participate in an eight-week career-development program with an EPE department related to their field of study, as well as lead a corporate social responsibility project as part of EPE’s community outreach initiatives. This year’s internship will be primarily virtual due to the pandemic but will offer interns safe access to EPE work locations when necessary based on their summer assignment.  

“The annual summer internship program at EPE is pivotal in our mission to advocate and develop a workforce that is confident, experienced and passionate about their work and career – qualities that our employees exude each day for our community,” shares EPE interim CEO Adrian J. Rodriguez. “Our planning for this summer internship is year-round, but this year more than ever we have modified the program so that we could still offer students this opportunity in a healthy and safe manner.”

This year’s college interns attend prestigious schools across the nation, such as Yale University, University of Texas at El Paso, University of Texas at Austin, and Our Lady of the Lake University. EPE departments that are hosting an intern this summer include power generation, transmission, accounting, and public relations.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, EPE began planning how it would carry out in large-part a virtual internship knowing college students depend on paid internships for real-world work experience. EPE departments hosting interns for this year’s program developed a content outline, tailored health and safety protocols for each student, and has made modifications so that each student can safely work from home.

“I feel very grateful that El Paso Electric gave us the opportunity to do a summer internship despite the circumstances we are living in,” said EPE Power Generation Intern Claudia Mendia. “Additionally, EPE is taking all the necessary precautions, like social distancing and working from home, which has made me feel safe working here for the summer.”

All while managing through the adversity of the pandemic, EPE is determined to continue serving the community. One of the main, cumulative projects for the EPE college summer internship is to develop and complete the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, but with an added twist as it will all be done virtually.

“I am excited that we will continue the CSR initiative to give back to our community with the hopes of having a lasting impact on others in our area,” shares EPE Legal Intern Hugo Ramirez.

The summer college internship began late-May and will continue through early-August. For more information on EPE’s internship opportunities and other positions available, visit epelectric.com.