For Cory Dugger, Hailen Hower and Tasheena Nez, internships provided more than valuable résumé experience.
These Instrumentation Controls and Electrical Technology students stepped into professional roles, learned from industry experts, and built skills that prepared them for careers in the energy sector.
Meet the Students and Read their Stories
Cory Dugger
Cory Dugger traveled from Farmington, New Mexico, to Pennsylvania for a paid internship with Archaea Energy, where he worked as an Operations Technician intern. His responsibilities included helping maintain a plant and learning the procedures necessary to support safe and efficient operations.
The experience introduced Dugger to new workplace practices and expanded his understanding of the energy industry.
“There was so much I learned, including a lot of safety procedures and processes that I had no idea about before this experience,” Dugger said.
One of the most valuable aspects of the internship was the opportunity to learn directly from experienced professionals. Rather than simply observing, Dugger could engage with real-world situations and gain a better understanding of the work involved in plant operations.
His experience also reinforced the importance of his education at San Juan College. The technical knowledge and foundational skills he developed through the School of Energy helped him transition into the workplace with greater confidence.
For students considering an energy industry internship, Dugger encourages them to take advantage of opportunities when companies make them available.
“Take the internships if the companies are offering,” he said. “It will let you know what you really want to do in the field.”
Although his internship took him far from home, Dugger gained valuable insight into the industry and a clearer understanding of the career opportunities available to him.
Hailen Hower
For Hailen Hower, an internship represented an important step toward a new professional future.
After serving in the Army and spending time guiding river trips and working outdoors, Hower began exploring new career opportunities. Already familiar with San Juan College, he contacted the college to learn more about its School of Energy and the programs available to students.
That decision eventually led to a Field Operator internship with Energy Water Solutions in Vernal, Utah.
During the 10-week internship, Hower worked with process variables, helped replace pumps and spent significant time studying the systems used in field operations. The experience allowed him to develop technical knowledge while earning a paycheck.
“You get paid to learn,” Hower said, “and it’s a strong addition to your résumé.”
One experience, in particular, demonstrated the value of hands-on training and teamwork. While on call, Hower encountered a spill. He identified the risk and worked with a partner to help address the situation.
As an intern, he had not expected to have such a meaningful role in a real-time operational challenge. The experience showed him that employers can value interns as contributing members of the team.
“It’s impressive that you can have input in these types of situations; you are considered and listened to,” Hower said.
Hower encourages fellow School of Energy students to approach internships with a willingness to learn and improve. He emphasizes that employers notice more than technical knowledge or classroom performance. Attitude, professionalism and the ability to accept feedback also matter.
“Take the criticism as corrective because the people here want to see you succeed,” Hower said. “A positive attitude, competitive spirit and willingness to gain real-world experience can make a difference.”
His experience highlights how energy industry internships can help students from different backgrounds build new skills and transition into a technical career.
Tasheena Nez
For Tasheena Nez, an internship with Oxy opened the door to new professional possibilities and marked an important milestone in her educational journey.
A first-generation college student from Shiprock, New Mexico, Nez faced challenges along the way. After previously leaving San Juan College, she returned determined to move forward and work toward her goals.
“I had to find a way to redeem myself coming back,” Nez said. “I had to push extra hard to be where I’m at today.”
Her determination paid off. Nez graduated in May 2026 with a certification and continued her education at San Juan College, pursuing an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Instrumentation Controls and Electrical Technology.
Her progress helped lead to an internship with Oxy, where she worked as an Automation Specialist Technician.
Her days could begin at 4 a.m. and include working on wellheads, uninstalling and reinstalling equipment, working on wiring and troubleshooting injection-well controllers.
The internship gave Nez an opportunity to experience the importance of safety firsthand and to see how safety decisions affect an entire team and keep operations moving. Rather than changing her career plans, the experience reinforced them.
“This internship secured my thoughts on the energy field and reinforced my career in it,” she said. “It helped me to see new possibilities within the field as well.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering.
“The School of Energy has a lot of amazing individuals; step out of your shell and take advantage of the people, the classes, the events and the internships.”
How Energy Industry Internships Prepare Students for Career Success
The experiences of Dugger, Hower and Nez show how paid internships can help bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional employment.
For students in San Juan College’s School of Energy, internships offer several important benefits:
- Hands-on technical training: Students apply concepts from their courses to real-world equipment, processes and operational challenges.
- Industry experience: Working alongside experienced professionals helps students understand workplace expectations, safety procedures and daily responsibilities.
- Professional development: Internships encourage teamwork, communication, problem-solving and the ability to respond to feedback.
- Career exploration: Students can discover which roles and work environments best match their interests, strengths and long-term goals.
- Résumé building: Paid internship experience gives students an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and practical knowledge to future employers.
- Industry connections: Working directly with energy companies helps students build professional relationships and learn from people already working in the field.
These benefits can help students enter the workforce with greater confidence and a clearer understanding of what it takes to succeed in the energy industry.
Start Your Energy Career at San Juan College
From Pennsylvania to Utah and right here in the Four Corners region, Cory Dugger, Hailen Hower and Tasheena Nez demonstrate how education can open doors to new career opportunities.
Whether students are beginning their college journey, changing careers or returning to school to pursue a new goal, an internship can provide a valuable opportunity to learn, grow and explore the future of energy.
Ready to take the next step toward a career in the energy industry?
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