MSWD Celebrates Internship Program with Desert Hot Springs High School REAL Academy

Following the completion of the fall internship program, Mission Springs Water District celebrated Diego Ramirez, Emmanuel Romero Galvez, Fabiola Herrera Lopez, and Nathan Irene at its Board of Directors meeting this week. In partnership with the Desert Hot Springs High School REAL Academy, the program provides valuable hands-on experience and educational opportunities to students, exposing a new generation to opportunities in water.

“We are once again proud to partner with Desert Hot Springs High School and the REAL Academy Program to host our third group of interns,” said MSWD Assistant General Manager Marion Champion. “This partnership underscores our commitment to community engagement and education. By investing in our youth, we support their future careers and promote sustainable water management practices.”

During the Fall semester, MSWD hosted four REAL Academy students who learned what working in MSWD’s Accounting, Customer Service, Water Production, and Wastewater departments was like.

Diego, a senior at DHS High, plans to attend Universal Technical Institute after graduation to study Engineering. However, he has expressed interest in a career in water after working in the Water Production Department.  His favorite things about the REAL Academy are the friends he has made, the creativity of the projects and his peers, and the opportunities he has had to learn more about engineering.

Emmanuel, a senior at DHS High School, plans to enter the military after graduation, and then attend college. His favorite things about the REAL Academy have been the bonds he has made with his peers,  the camaraderie, and the different opportunities it has provided such as this internship where he was excited to learn more about the wastewater department, and the different processes of treatment from start to finish.

Fabiola, a senior at DHS High School, plans to go to college after graduation to study Biomedical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. The most important thing to Fabiola is to help people with her degree and work. Her favorite things about the REAL Academy are the projects, especially the robotics as she was part of the robotics team in middle school. She also appreciates the opportunities the program has provided, such as the MSWD internship, and different events the students have attended.

Nathan, a senior at DHS High School, plans to attend college after graduation. He has enjoyed the friendships he has made in the REAL Academy and the different events and opportunities the program has provided, like his internship with MSWD. He has found it remarkably interesting how integral the accounting department is for all aspects of the district like the management of grant funding, payroll, accounts payable, and the work related to all projects.