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CAREER EXPLORATION FOR GRADES 9 – 12

STUDENTS

Hello Students! 

Do you want to learn more about manufacturing and manufacturing-related careers? Do you want to get some “real world” experience? Check out the opportunities below to find out how you can get involved.

State & Nationwide

• Baker Hughes Internships

Gain hands-on work experience that will form the foundation of your professional career. Join us at the forefront of the industry and learn first-hand how processes, systems, and practices work together across our business to ensure that we meet our customers’ needs through the flawless execution and application of leading-edge energy technology.

• BASF North American Apprenticeship Development Programs (NAADP)

NAADP prepares you for developing your career in manufacturing with on-the-job training. Wherever you are in life, BASF can put you on the road to an exciting and rewarding career in the innovative world of manufacturing. Prepare for a hands-on career with the North American Apprenticeship Development Program!

Boeing Internship Program

Every day, you’ll be a part of projects that turn dreams into reality and contribute to the next generation of aerospace and defense products.

Caterpillar Careers

Whether it be creating groundbreaking products and solutions or a lifelong career, you can do the work that matters. With a legacy of quality and innovation and locations around the world, your impact spans the globe. You can search for internships, student worker roles, apprenticeships, and full-time/part-time career opportunities.

• Caterpillar US Student Trainee Program

Caterpillar’s Student Trainees have the opportunity to gain practical, challenging and meaningful on-the-job work experience, while working for a global leader in innovation, technology and manufacturing.

GlobalFoundries Student Opportunities

At GlobalFoundries, we have a robust summer internship program that focuses on the development and growth of each intern. Our internships are typically 12 weeks in length. We believe that the intern program is a great predictor of future talent success, so when our business needs align with our interns’ future goals, conversion to full-time hiring is a top priority!

• HEB Internships 

HEB is offering part-time manufacturing and supply chain operations internships statewide. You must be enrolled in an associates or bachelors program.

• John Deere Internships

Apply the skills and knowledge you’re developing at school, while contributing to exciting, real-world projects. Every intern is a potential full-time employee, and we’ll provide hands-on experience that’s designed to fit your career objectives, and complements your academic work.

Lone Star Construction Apprenticeship

To advance individuals through the self-sufficiency pathway with skills training, meaningful employment and on-and off-the job learning and development.

Regional TX FAME Chapters 

The TX FAME Chapters connect manufacturers with high-achieving high school students and veterans to ensure an ongoing supply of well-trained employees remains available. Students attend classes certain days of the week while working the other days at a local sponsor’s manufacturing facility. There are chapters in Dallas, San Antonio, Seguin, Beaumont and Orange area.

Texas Instruments Internships & Career Accelerator Program

Looking to take your career to the next level? We offer internships for current students and a broad range of development programs for recent graduates including manufacturing, engineering, and more.

Texas Department of Education

The Texas Department of Education offers engineering internships to High School students starting at 16 years old. A paid internship is a great opportunity to explore the role of an Engineering Support Tech. You will assist in transportation engineering support work such as construction or maintenance inspection, structural construction, or maintenance.

Universal Technical Institute – Summer Ignite Program 

A three-week, no cost Summer Ignite Program that allows high school Juniors to explore STEM career training while learning in-demand, real-world skills that are used in today’s industry.

Workforce Solutions Summer Earn & Learn

Are you looking for workplace readiness training to prepare you for successful employment? Paid work experience to help you build your skills and identify future career goals? Check out the Workforce Solutions Summer Earn & Learn programs.

Austin

• Advanced Regional Manufactures Association

Advanced Regional Manufactures Association offers comprehensive manufacturing programs to high schools in the region. Students can take courses related to manufacturing. These courses align with industry needs and even allow students to earn college credits toward a Level I Certificate or an Associate’s Degree through practical, hands-on learning experiences. 

• Austin Community College Career Academy

A dual credit program in a high demand workforce area that can be completed by high school graduation. This program is meant for Juniors in High School who are interested in manufacturing. This is a cohort based in Austin, Texas.

• Applied Research Laboratories Apprenticeship

The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship program puts research in engineering, computer science, physics, and math into the hands of students during the summer between high school and college. Students selected for the program often have their first experience working in a laboratory research-and-development environment and learn more about careers in their chosen fields of study.

• IBEW Local 520’s Comprehensive Electrician Apprenticeship Program

Discover the rewarding path to becoming a skilled, licensed electrician through IBEW Local 520’s comprehensive apprenticeship program. Our earn-while-you-learn model provides the perfect opportunity to launch your career in the electrical industry.

• Fab Intern/ Apprentice program

Highschool graduates take part in a paid 10 week summer internship related to a technician career track.

• Future Engineers Day hosted by UT Austin.

Future Engineers Day is a FREE daylong event for students in grades 7-11 to learn about engineering through hands-on activities led and taught by current UT students. This is an annual event and takes place March 29, 2025. Registration opens January 2025.

• Tesla Internship

Tesla offers several full-time internships in the Austin area. In the Construction and Facilities role, interns work with product managers completing daily task such as scheduling, construction, and maintenance.
Applications are open for Winter/Spring 2025.

Greater Dallas Area

• Dallas College Earn & Learn

This program offers training designed to equip students with necessary skills to succeed in customer service, client service or call center positions. Students will complete the 16-week program while also getting job experience by working in a paid customer service-related internship with Dallas College.

• General Motors Plant Internship

Learn what it takes to keep a world class manufacturing facility operating at peak capacity.

• Independent Electrical Contractors Program

A four-year program where you will learn everything there is to know about electrical work and being a skilled and certified electrician. Graduates are awarded a certificate of completion by the United States of America, Department of Labor, National Independent Electrical Contractors.

• International Training Institute

Become an apprentice at the International Training Institute and get on-the-job training while learning your trade. Little to no tuition costs or fees, receive books, tablets and other educational materials free of charge.

• TEXTRON Internships & Co-Ops

Work on meaningful assignments that will help you learn about many different business areas. You’ll also find numerous career paths available to you. Many of our interns convert their internship with Textron into fulfilling careers with us upon graduation.

• TX FAME Manufacturing Apprenticeship – Dallas Chapter

You’re smart, career-oriented, and ready for a well-paying career right now. With Texas Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (TX FAME), you can dive into a challenging advanced manufacturing career while receiving the education needed to build your resume and make you highly marketable to manufacturers across the state.

Houston

BASF North American Apprenticeship Development Programs (NAADP)

NAADP prepares you for developing your career in manufacturing with on-the-job training. Wherever you are in life, BASF can put you on the road to an exciting and rewarding career in the innovative world of manufacturing. Prepare for a hands-on career with the North American Apprenticeship Development Program!

DOW Chemical Manufacturing Internship

Join the apprenticeship team and get three or more years of on-the-job experience while earning a two-year Associate’s Degree in some of the most sought-after and highest-earning technical specialties in the industry.

Fast Track Training

Affiliated with Houston Community College, check out their high demand career trainings. They can help you pay for the training if you qualify.

Hire Houston Youth Program

Hire Houston Youth serves as the facilitator to connect youth to local jobs where they are empowered with an “earn and learn” opportunity in Houston’s dynamic economy.

Owens Corning Internships

During the summer term, you will be placed as a Manufacturing Engineering Intern at an Owens Corning manufacturing plant for 12-weeks. You will be mentored by seasoned technical specialists and provided value added projects throughout this period. Projects will give you hands-on experience with technical issues you’ll experience in a production environment.

• SER Jobs Pre-Apprenticeship Trainings

Enroll in a pre-apprenticeship program to get prepped to secure an apprenticeship! Why choose an apprenticeship over a traditional job? Apprenticeships help you earn a competitive wage from day one, with guaranteed wage increases as you develop new skills! Learn through on-the-job experience and job-related classroom training. At the end of the apprenticeship, you’ll receive industry recognized and nationally-portable credentials to take your trade anywhere in the U.S.!

San Antonio Area

Alamo Academies Internships

San Antonio high school students can discover their passions and interests in diverse STEM career fields. They can earn college credits and industry certifications, all while acquiring valuable skills that prepare them for college or their dream careers.

Alamo Academies, offering high-demand STEM curriculums to high school students.

COX Manufacturing Apprenticeship

The Apprentice Program is for individuals seeking a career as a professional machine technician.

• Ready to Work

San Antonio Ready to Work offers a variety of training and educational programs. Your Ready to Work coach will find the one that is right for you based on your interests, skills, and goals.

Rheem Manufacturing Internships

As a leading global manufacturer of heating, cooling and water heating equipment, we are innovating all-new ways to deliver just the right temperature while saving energy, water and supporting a more sustainable future. It is an exciting challenge that requires a team of talented, passionate people with a diverse set of skills. From engineers to accountants, sales professionals to support experts, Rheem depends on people to power our innovations. Join Rheem, and help shape the future of products that impact lives—every day.

Victoria

Caterpillar 2025 Leadership & Technical Development Program

Caterpillar’s Leadership and Technical Development Program (LTDP) for Supply Chain Managementis a
three-year rotational program designed to accelerate development of entry-level talent and provide a solid foundation for meeting challenges within supply chain.

Koch 2025 Summer Internship

The internship opportunity will be a 12-week program running from late May to mid-August 2025.  INVISTA is looking for chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineering interns in Victoria, Texas.

The Welding Summer Internship Training Program

The Welding Summer Internship Training Program is an opportunity where Victoria ISD will be partnering with TEJAS Production Services, a local business partner, to provide 11th and 12th grade students summer internships related to CTE.

Victoria ISD CTE Department

During each school year, the Victoria ISD Career and Technical Education (CTE) department conducts Industry-Based Certification (IBC) testing for students from Victoria East High School and Victoria.
Waco

 • Adult Education & Literacy (AEL) Program

The Adult Education & Literacy (AEL) program is funded by a grant from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). AEL provides opportunities for students to acquire the skills needed to enter the workforce, earn a high school equivalency, enter college, and begin training for a career. Manufacturing related classes are offered in person and online. Courses are FREE to students that meet the requirements of the program. 

 • Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy

The Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy offers advanced technical and manufacturing training for high school students (juniors and seniors). It is a half-day STEM program is compatible with all school districts to ensure that students continue to experience a full high school program without sacrificing personal interests. The academy hosts students who earn industry certifications as well as participate in band, cheer, sports, and other extracurricular activities

Sonoco Youth Apprenticeship 

The Sonoco Youth Apprenticeship is designed for high school juniors or seniors interested in a career in manufacturing, this program equips students to explore high-demand manufacturing and operation careers needed in advanced manufacturing.

Tesla Internship

Tesla offers full time internships in the Waco area as they partner with Texas State technical college. This intern position is open for a service technician role that last 16 weeks

Texas State Technical College Dual Enrollment Program

Texas State Technical College partners with The Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy where students can earn dual enrollment credits to Texas State Technical College.

Upskill Courses

Upskill provides training courses in Waco that integrate electrical and mechanical engineering, advanced manufacturing, and computer technology to high school graduates. No previous experience required.

DID YOU KNOW

Manufacturing contributes nearly one quarter (24.6%) of the US economy.

(Source: NIST)