Students from Ysleta Independent School District (YISD) have recently wrapped up a summer of internships at Marathon Petroleum Corporation's El Paso Refinery, according to Ysleta ISD. These internships were part of YISD's Career and Technical Education (CTE), a program designed to match educational curricula with technical and professional skill development, aligning with state and national academic standards to provide students with real-world experiences that prepare them for future careers.
Marathon's engagement in local education isn't just for show, they've made it part of their community investment strategy as V.J. Smith, Marathon’s Principal ESG, and Stakeholder Engagement Representative expressed, "We focus on contributions and partnerships with charitable organizations, and educational entities such as YISD's CTE programs that reflect the priorities of our community stakeholders, align with our core values, and enable us to make a positive, measurable impact," as per Ysleta ISD. Two students from Ysleta High School, Emily Cinco and Anthony Rubio, tackled assignments in IT and Maintenance, respectively, showcasing YISD's broadening horizon for student careers.
Del Valle High School's Victor Manuel Luna-Flores and Haziel Marin, alongside Eastwood High School's Oscar Lopez, and Hanks High School's Zerach Hernandez, are among the interns who gained hands-on experience this summer. According to Ysleta ISD, these rising seniors explored career paths in the energy sector through departments ranging from Supply Chain to Accounting and IT.
Hugo Martinez, Director of Career Programs at YISD, reflected on the partnership's success, stating, "The Marathon team has demonstrated unwavering dedication to student success, welcoming interns into their organization and providing meaningful work-based learning over a six-week program," as obtained by Ysleta ISD. The internships offered by Marathon have added a practical edge to the students' academic pursuits, promising a more skilled, confident workforce ready to step into the local economy.
