TAMIU Students Further Career Prospects with National Internships

When Pauline Arredondo learned she would be spending her summer working within walking distance of the Washington Monument and the White House, she knew the experience would be one she would never forget. 

Arredondo is one of three Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) students spending their summer completing internships through the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Internship Program. TAMIU students also selected for national internships were María Jacobo and Cesar Villarreal.

The students are currently taking part in a 10-week internship opportunity that matched their major and career goals to a national government office. 

Arredondo, a business administration major, will work out of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Chief Financial Officer in D.C. She is excited to take part in a new experience and recommends fellow students take advantage of these opportunities.

“I’m excited to leave and learn new things. Networking is one thing I’m excited to do, especially having connections from where I live to Washington, D.C. I know it will be helpful when I graduate,” said Arredondo.

Jacobo, a sophomore accounting major, received an internship offer at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in Washington, D.C. She left for her internship at the beginning of June and hoped to grow and develop her skills as a budding accountant at one of the largest financial firms in the U.S.

“The agency focuses on providing pension and insurance plans to every government employee in the U.S. This is an excellent opportunity for me to develop my accounting skills that will be essential in the workplace,” said Jacobo.

Villarreal, a senior system engineering major, is traveling to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services Office in in Knoxville, Tennessee where he will be working to conserve water, regional flora and fauna.

“I encourage all students to apply; it’s an easy application, and once you graduate, you’ll have a security clearance status which will make you stand out among other applicants,” said Villarreal. 

Established in 1986, HACU represents over 470 colleges, and universities across the U.S., including TAMIU, a longtime member.  HACU has created more than 30 memorandums of understanding with various federal agencies, offices and business organizations. The national internship program places more than 450 student interns each year in Washington and outlying field offices.

HACU internships have served as a longstanding endeavor for the University’s Office of Career Services, explained Cassandra Wheeler, director of Career Services.

“I encourage any TAMIU student to apply to the HACU internship as it provides the benefit of networking with peers in your field as well as potential employers in the federal or corporate sector,” said Wheeler, “As a HACU intern, you can apply what you are learning from TAMIU and broaden your marketable skills for employment upon graduation.”

TAMIU’s Career Services offers a range of services, that includes creating ideal resumes and cover letters, practicing interviewing skills and access to Dusty Works, the University’s comprehensive resource for job searches, uploading resumes and registering for career fairs. Services are available to students, parents, alumni, job recruiters, and university faculty and staff members.

For additional information, contact TAMIU’s Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu, click on tamiu.edu, or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.

Resources are also shared on the University’s social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. View the student profiles online at Pauline Arredondo Profile, Maria Jacobo Profile and Cesar Villarreal Profile.