This summer, 78 students from FalconTech and EagleTech, part of St. Vrain’s P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) programming, completed paid internships across seven different local organizations, demonstrating their dedication to gaining real-world experience and insights into their chosen industries.

FalconTech’s 54 students split into three groups for their internships. The largest group, consisting of 33 students, worked with tech giant IBM, aiming to improve IBM’s appeal to younger job seekers. These students collaborated with peers from other P-TECH IBM schools across the country, contributing to a nationwide project. 

Beyond IBM, FalconTech students found their niche with ANM and the St. Vrain’s Technology Services (DTS) department. ANM, an IT leader, extended field technician roles to three students, offering hands-on exposure to on-site networking setups. Another group of eight students worked with DTS, focusing on areas like information security, networking, and DevOps. Several FalconTech students performed so well that their internships were extended into the fall.

Francisco Garcia, a DTS summer intern from FalconTech, shared his insights on his experience. “During my internship, I learned how hard DTS works at setting up systems and technology for new students. I saw firsthand how careful they are to ensure teachers have all the materials they need to start the school year successfully.”

EagleTech, participating for its second year of internships, made a significant impact as well with 24 students collaborating with four industry partners in the field of Biomedical Sciences – Agilent Technologies, AGC Biologics, KBI Biopharma, and Corden Pharma. These partnerships exposed the students to real-world challenges and experiences, enabling them to apply their academic knowledge practically.

Bryan Soto Martell, an EagleTech student, served as a Process Engineer Intern at Corden Pharma this summer. Sharing his thoughts on the experience, he said, “I really enjoyed my time at Corden. I worked on transferring data and got to use my math and Excel skills that I learned in my P-TECH classes. After my internship, I feel like I have a complete understanding of exactly what Corden does.”

The P-TECH program in the St. Vrain Valley Schools continues to offer students hands-on opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world application. Through these internships, the school-industry collaboration is proving to be a valuable way to equip students with practical skills and insights they need for a strong competitive advantage in a highly complex and globalized world.