Taos students explore career possibilities at Spring Fling

It can be hard for high school students to get a clear picture of their future opportunities in education or the working world. An April 17 event at UNM-Taos aimed to address that challenge, helping Northern New Mexico teenagers get a sense of the paths that are open to them, including those at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The Spring Fling event showcased campus life and academic programs, and also highlighted future career options for around 200 students from Taos High School, Vista Grande High School, Taos Academy, Taos Cyber Magnet School and Moreno Valley High School.

Introducing possible LANL careers

As part of the day, volunteers introduced students to the Laboratory as a career destination, highlighting in-demand opportunities they might not have considered such as construction and trades, logistics, finance and accounting, IT, environment, and safety and health.

“Often it’s a case of ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’,” says Rebecca Estrada, higher education and workforce development specialist at the Laboratory, who took part in the event. “Getting the chance to hear from Laboratory employees firsthand about their career journeys and the work they do at Los Alamos can be very valuable.”

“Spring Fling was an exciting and energizing day for prospective UNM-Taos students,” says UNM-Taos Chancellor Mary Gutiérrez. ”Events like this are especially meaningful because high school students are able to engage directly with employers like Los Alamos National Laboratory and learn how local workforce needs connect to educational opportunities at UNM–Taos. Those conversations help students see both opportunity and purpose in their education.”  

The Spring Fling is just one of the many outreach events the Laboratory takes part in across the region, highlighting internship opportunities, workforce pipeline programs, and future career opportunities for Northern New Mexico students.