Paid Internships Launch in Sandoval County, Building Local STEM Talent

R4Creating announced a paid internship program for high school, college and graduate students that will run for 12 weeks from mid January through mid April 2026. The program will place interns in areas including 3D printing and design, media marketing and content creation, STEM education and outreach, evaluation and grant writing, and business partnership development. Pay will range from $15 to $25 per hour depending on education level, and applications are due January 6 through R4Creating's online application portal.

The initiative is intended to build local capacity in technical and programmatic skills that employers and nonprofit organizations increasingly demand. Dr. Shelly Gruenig, R4Creating's founding executive director, described the program as building a 'homegrown pipeline of innovators.' The organization positions the internships as both a career pathway for students and a talent pool for Sandoval County employers seeking workers with applied digital fabrication, communications and grant management skills.

For local families and young people, the program offers paid on the job learning that can help offset education costs and provide resume relevant experience before graduation. At $15 to $25 per hour the internships pay well above federal minimum wage, and are competitive with regional entry level positions in technology and nonprofit operations. For small businesses and municipal programs in Sandoval County, early access to trained interns can reduce recruitment costs and shorten onboarding time for project based work.

From a policy perspective, the program aligns with broader workforce development trends that emphasize short term paid apprenticeships and experiential learning to bridge the gap between classroom theory and employer needs. By focusing on maker technology, STEM outreach and grant evaluation, the program also supports local capacity to attract and manage public and private funding for community projects.

R4Creating's timeline gives students a fast route to experience this winter and spring, with results likely visible to local partners by mid April 2026. Applications must be submitted by January 6 through the organization’s application portal, and accepted interns will begin placements in mid January.