15 Internships for College Students in New Mexico
As a college student, participating in an internship allows you to build practical skills, strengthen your resume, and gain hands-on experience in your chosen field. These opportunities help you apply classroom knowledge to real-world projects while expanding your professional network. Many undergraduates in New Mexico explore local and virtual options to boost their employability and stand out to future employers.
If you’re open to considering remote/online internships, then you can check out paid programs here! And if you’re worried about having less experience, check out our blog here!
Why should you do an internship in college?
Internships give you concrete advantages that go beyond academics. You’ll develop job-ready skills, such as project management, collaboration, and problem-solving, while working alongside professionals. Many programs include mentorship and the chance to contribute to meaningful initiatives, which directly boosts your employability status; in fact, studies consistently show that internship experience increases your odds of receiving job offers after graduation. You’ll also build a portfolio of tangible work and references that set you apart in competitive job markets. In short, an internship in college will help you test career paths, refine your goals, and enter the workforce with proven experience.
Here are 15 internships for college students in New Mexico worth checking out!
Quick Look
15 internships total spanning national laboratory research, state government, public health, journalism, aerospace, and biomedical data science, hosted by organizations including Sandia, Los Alamos, Virgin Galactic, and several New Mexico state agencies
The strongest disclosed pay is at the Air Force Research Laboratory ($621.60 to $870.40 per week) and Sandia and Los Alamos, both offering competitive pay based on education level and credits
Several state government internships pay a clear hourly rate, including City of Albuquerque ($15 per hour), New Mexico INBRE NISE ($18 per hour), and Northern New Mexico Workforce Connection ($12.72 to $20.10 per hour)
Most programs require New Mexico residency, enrollment at a New Mexico institution, or in-person attendance at a specific site; Ladder Internships is the only fully remote option on this list
The earliest deadlines are AFRL (January 10) and New Mexico INBRE NISE (January 30)
1. New Mexico State Personnel Office Student Internship Program
Location: Various state agencies in New Mexico (Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Roswell, and more)
Stipend: Paid (typically $15 – $25/hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by position (school term or summer placements)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students; Some positions also accept recent graduates
The New Mexico State Personnel Office Student Internship Program places you in state government agencies across various departments. You’ll work on real projects in public affairs, transportation operations, or administrative support, contributing to state initiatives while gaining exposure to professional workflows. Mentorship from agency professionals will help you develop career readiness competencies like communication and teamwork. Positions are available in multiple locations, with opportunities for collaboration on policy or operational tasks. The program emphasizes practical public service experience without requiring prior government background.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies (Full financial aid available); Unpaid
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: College students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder Internships University Internship Program will match you with startup companies for an 8-week virtual experience focused on real-world projects aligned with your major or interests. You’ll collaborate directly with founders or managers on tasks like market analysis, strategy development, product research, coding deliverables, or content creation, completing tangible outputs that add value to the host company. Mentorship comes through regular sessions with your company coach, and by the end of the internship, you’ll be expected to present your final work to the team. The flexible schedule includes 5-10 hours per week of focused tasks and meetings. Completing the program will get you a letter of completion and a reference letter from the startup.
3. Sandia National Laboratories Undergraduate Internship Program
Location: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
Stipend: Competitive hourly pay (based on education level and credits)
Acceptance rate: Competitive (varies by opening)
Dates: Summer: 10-12 weeks (May – late August); Year-round and co-op options available
Application Deadline: Apply at least 3 months before desired start (rolling)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (minimum 3.0 GPA for most R&D/technical roles)
Sandia National Laboratories Undergraduate Internship Program lets you work on real-world R&D, engineering, business, or technical projects at their New Mexico site. You’ll contribute to national security and science initiatives using state-of-the-art equipment while receiving mentorship from scientists and engineers. Projects range from AI and photonics to energy surety or mission support, often through the Intern Institute for structured professional development. Summer placements are full-time, and year-round options allow part-time during school. Social and networking activities are included alongside project work.
4. Los Alamos National Laboratory Undergraduate Student Internship Program
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Stipend: Paid (stipend or hourly rates)
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: Year-round or summer (typically, 10-12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing a degree (domestic and international applicants)
The Los Alamos National Laboratory Undergraduate Student Internship Program provides research experience in technical and professional fields while you pursue your degree. You’ll join ongoing projects in STEM or operations, working with mentors on laboratory initiatives that support national interests. The program offers both year-round and summer placements with opportunities to collaborate on scientific or administrative tasks. You’ll gain practical exposure to advanced facilities and present contributions within your team.
5. Global Santa Fe Student Internships
Location: Global Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM
Stipend: $12.50+/hour for college interns
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: Fall, spring, or summer terms (full-time or part-time options)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: College students, recent graduates, those out of school for <2 years; NM students preferred
Global Santa Fe’s college internship program immerses you in international affairs work through full-time or part-time placements. You’ll support programs like the International Visitor Leadership Program, handling research, event coordination, or administrative tasks alongside professionals. Mentorship and collaboration with global partners are central, with opportunities to contribute to visitor programs or policy-related projects. During this internship, you’ll receive hands-on exposure to diplomacy and cross-cultural work.
6. City of Albuquerque Educational Internships
Location: Albuquerque, NM (various city departments)
Stipend: $15/hour for undergraduates
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by department
Dates: Short-term: 10 weeks (20 hours per week during school term); Long-term: up to 2 years (30 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students attending accredited institutions
The City of Albuquerque Short-Term Educational Internship places you in city departments for practical public service work. You’ll contribute 20 hours per week on projects in operations, community services, or administration while receiving departmental mentorship. The 10-week structure includes collaboration with professionals on city initiatives. Placements are available across multiple departments with opportunities to present work or participate in team projects.
7. New Mexico INBRE NISE Summer Internship
Location: Various New Mexico research institutions
Stipend: $18 per hour, full-time
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: June 3 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Undergraduate students at New Mexico or RAIN institutions
The New Mexico INBRE NISE Internship Program offers an 8-week full-time summer research experience for undergraduates. During the internship, you’ll engage in bioinformatics, lab-based projects, or bootcamp tracks that build research skills through hands-on lab work and data analysis. You’ll also receive mentorship from faculty and professionals, with opportunities to present your findings towards the end. The program emphasizes community and regional research initiatives.
8. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program (Kirtland AFB)
Location: Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM
Stipend: $621.60 – $870.40 weekly stipend based on semester credits earned
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: Typically, 10-12 weeks, from late May – mid-August
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in STEM; GPA of 3.0/4.0 encouraged
The Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program at Kirtland AFB gives you hands-on research experience in STEM fields. As an intern, you’ll work on defense-related projects and receive mentorship from lab professionals and access to advanced facilities. During the program, you’ll collaborate with other students as well as engineers or faculty members. You’ll get to work on Directed Energy projects, exploring research areas like laser plasma experiments/diagnostics, high-energy lasers, high-power microwaves, and more. You’ll also get to explore Space Vehicles projects and research areas like aerospace technologies, cold atom research, space weather modeling, and more.
9. New Mexico Chamber of Commerce Internships
Location: Various New Mexico chambers (statewide)
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies (semester or summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
New Mexico Chamber of Commerce Internships will connect you with business and policy work in state economic development. As an intern, you’ll support chamber initiatives through research, event planning, or member outreach. You’ll also gain mentorship from business leaders. Projects often involve community involvement or policy analysis.
10. Northern New Mexico Workforce Connection Summer Internship Program
Location: Northern New Mexico and Albuquerque Metro area (various state government sites)
Stipend: $12.72 – $20.10 per hour (based on education level)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer (concludes when school resumes)
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: College students ages 18-24
The Northern New Mexico Workforce Connection Summer Internship Program places you in on-site or virtual state government roles across Northern New Mexico and the Albuquerque metro area. As an intern, you’ll gain professional experience while earning pay scaled to your education level. The summer placements focus on building workplace skills in a supportive environment. Some colleges provide course credit when the experience aligns with your studies.
11. Think New Mexico Leadership Internship
Location: Think New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM
Stipend: $15.40 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 4 spots
Dates: Approximately 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: College students with an interest in public policy; Strong preference for a New Mexico background
The Think New Mexico Leadership Internship trains you in public policy development. You’ll assist staff with researching and drafting policy proposals on state issues while working as part of a small team on varied tasks. You’ll meet directly with board members and state government leaders for mentorship and networking. The program emphasizes practical skills in research, communication, computer work, and team collaboration in a results-oriented environment. As an intern, you’ll contribute to initiatives aimed at retaining New Mexico talent. Alumni frequently move into government or nonprofit leadership roles.
12. Biomedical Data Science Summer Internship (UNM Translational Informatics Division)
Location: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Stipend: $2,000 upon completion
Cohort size: 5 interns
Dates: June 1 – August 3
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students
The Biomedical Data Science Summer Internship is a nine-week summer program that lets you apply data analysis skills to real biomedical research questions, which can then extend into independent study. As an intern, you’ll work on translational projects and may get to present your findings publicly. The structure allows for customization to your interests in data science and health.
13. Virgin Galactic Internships
Location: Spaceport America, Truth or Consequences, NM
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: 12 weeks from May – September
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in engineering/aerospace
Virgin Galactic Internships provide you aerospace and engineering experience at their New Mexico facility. As an intern, you’ll offer support for spaceflight projects through technical or operations tasks with professional mentorship. You’ll get the chance to interact and work with mentors and senior leaders and network with similar-minded peers. You’ll also have access to top resources offered at Virgin Galactic.
14. New Mexico Department of Health Internship Program
Location: Various sites in New Mexico (New Mexico Department of Health)
Stipend: Varies (some paid positions)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by semester (fall, spring, or summer)
Application Deadline: Varies by semester
Eligibility: Enrolled students seeking practicum or experiential learning hours
NMHealth internships provide experiential learning in clinical or non-clinical public health roles. As an intern, you’ll support community health efforts, policy, epidemiology, communications, or research through clinical roles. You’ll also get to collaborate with professionals. Non-clinical placements, on the other hand, offer broad exposure to operations and equity initiatives.
15. New Mexico Local News Fellowships & Internships
Location: Various New Mexico newsrooms
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: Spring or summer terms
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students at public New Mexico colleges/universities
NMLN Undergraduate Internships place you in New Mexico newsrooms for journalism or media experience. As an intern, you’ll contribute to reporting, editing, or digital projects while receiving mentorship from professional journalists. The internship offers solid career development experiences and matches you with mentors in local newsrooms. This ensures a solid classroom-to-career pathway for journalism students.
Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs
1. There are three national laboratory internships on this list (Sandia, Los Alamos, AFRL). How do I decide between them?
Each lab has a slightly different focus area. Sandia's program spans a wide range of technical and business projects, including AI, photonics, and energy, with structured professional development through its Intern Institute. Los Alamos offers similarly broad STEM and operations research but is based specifically in Los Alamos rather than Albuquerque. AFRL at Kirtland AFB is the most specialized of the three, focused specifically on defense-related research like high-energy lasers and space weather modeling. If you want broad exposure across technical fields, Sandia or Los Alamos are strong starting points; if you're specifically drawn to aerospace and defense research, AFRL is the more targeted choice.
2. Do I need to be a New Mexico resident to apply to most of these internships?
Several programs do give preference to New Mexico residents or require enrollment at a New Mexico institution, including New Mexico INBRE NISE, New Mexico Local News Fellowships, and Think New Mexico's Leadership Internship, which has a strong preference for a New Mexico background specifically. Other programs, like Sandia, Los Alamos, and Virgin Galactic, are open to undergraduate students more broadly, including international applicants in some cases. If you're not based in New Mexico, Ladder Internships is the only fully remote option on this list with no location requirement at all.
3. I'm interested in public health or government work but not sure which program fits best. How do the NM Department of Health, State Personnel Office, and City of Albuquerque internships compare?
Each centers on a different layer of public service. The New Mexico Department of Health internship is the most specialized of the three, focused specifically on public health work, including clinical roles, epidemiology, and community health policy. The State Personnel Office Student Internship Program is broader, placing you across various state agencies in areas like public affairs, transportation, or administrative support. The City of Albuquerque's internship is narrower in scope geographically, focused on city-level departments rather than statewide agencies. If public health specifically interests you, the Department of Health internship is the clearest fit; if you want broader exposure to how state or city government operates generally, the State Personnel Office or City of Albuquerque programs offer more variety.