More than 100 MDUSD HS students get college credit, work experience through Summer Internships

Over the past 11 years, MDUSD's summer internship program has grown from a handful of student interns and employer hosts to 117 interns and 42 hosts, providing high school students with college credit through Diablo Valley College (DVC) as they learn valuable life and career skills.

Administered through the District's College & Career Readiness and Expanded Learning departments, the internship program included workshops or field trips to help students learn about their education and career options after graduating from high school. 

"What we’ve developed is an amazing partnership with our internship hosts," said Heather Fontanilla, Director of College & Career Readiness, during a celebration for the interns and hosts on July 24 at Mt. Diablo HS. She noted that the hosts include private businesses as well as nonprofit organizations and MDUSD departments such as Transportation, Maintenance & Operations, Food & Nutrition Services, Technology & Information, Fiscal Services, and CARES Expanded Learning programs.

Speaking about the importance of providing real-world, hands-on experiences to students, Fontanilla said they had opportunities to explore career options to find out what interests them, as well as what doesn't. She also noted that they receive 2 college credits after completing required DVC assignments. And regardless of which careers they end up pursuing, Fontanilla said students learned skills such as communication, collaboration, use of technology, showing up on time, and not having your phone out when it's not appropriate. "These are skills you are going to take in whatever job you go into," she told the interns. 

This year's internship hosts included Community Youth Center (CYA), Ambrose Recreation & Park District, the Monument Crisis Center, Contra Costa County Health, East Bay CPR, Save Mount Diablo, Jr. Giants of Concord, Buy Concord, the Concord Historical Society, the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, Calitho printing, the City of Concord, the Concord Childcare Center, and MDUSD departments. First-time hosts this summer included Elegance Party Rentals, JRM Equipment, Contra Costa Water District, and the Contra Costa & Solano Family Justice Center. 

Seventeen students participated in a four-week Bay Point Garden internship at Riverview MS, building teamwork, communication and gardening skills. Click here to read more about their Summer Garden internship.

Interns at the July 24th event said they appreciated their opportunities. Mt. Diablo HS student Enedina Narvaez said she enjoyed her experience as an intern in teacher Dr. David Pintado's East Bay CPR business and was happy that she received college credits. She said she hopes to pursue a career in the medical field after graduation. Her classmate, Alexandra Montes Romero, said she liked being able to ask her colleagues at JRM Equipment rentals questions about the construction equipment. "They were eager to help me and I really think I like working with heavy machinery and tools," she said, adding that the machinery included an excavator, backhoe and other Caterpillar equipment. 

Anna Ramos, Manager of Youth Development & Support Services, said interns came from every high school in the District. As they gathered for their internship celebration, she added: "It was very magical to see them all in one room. We're really proud and thanks to all of you."

Next year's Summer Internships will take place from June 7 to July 17, 2027. See photos and reels highlighting the internships on the Career Pathways Instagram. More information about career pathways is on the College & Career Readiness web page.

MDUSD Summer Internship photos (clockwise left to right): Concord Historical Society interns Krystelle and Valentina organize files in the Resource Center; Interns and hosts stand with certificates during July 24 celebration at Mt. Diablo HS; Expanded Learning program intern teaches student about robotics; Community Youth Center interns enjoy a break; Intern creates a terrarium in the Riverview MS Garden Classroom.