CPT Jobs in New Mexico
New Mexico's F-1 CPT job market is anchored by federal research labs, defense contractors, and a growing tech sector concentrated in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Students at UNM, NMSU, and New Mexico Tech find CPT-eligible roles across engineering, energy, and government research industries.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The uniform patrol division of the Department of Public Safety relies on the support of a College Undergraduate Intern to assist with daily administrative operations of the district to assist them in learning the role within the department.
PURPOSE:
This position will enhance the districts overall performance by assisting officers and command staff with administrative tasks all while learning the aspects of law enforcement.
Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities for the College Undergraduate Intern will assist administratively command staff, officers and administrative staff with daily duties while learning the aspects of law enforcement. This will also include ride-a-longs with officers to observe law enforcement duties.
CUSTOMERS:
The College Undergraduate Intern should be someone who is interested in criminal justice, possibly have a career as an officer, administrative or community policing. This will provide hands-on exposure to law enforcement.
IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The College Undergraduate Intern should be someone who is interested in criminal justice, possibly have a career as an officer, administrative or community policing. This will provide hands-on exposure to law enforcement.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION:
Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university OR completion of at least four (4) semesters (or equivalent) at an accredited college or university within the last two (2) years.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and fingerprinting in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules and regulations; and is conditional pending results. Continued employment is contingent upon remaining felony free, per Section 5.12.1.1 of the Criminal Justice Information Systems Security Policy.
In addition, the selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a current Defensive Driving Certificate from the State of New Mexico; or pass and receive the Defensive Driving Certificate within six (6) months of date of hire.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The working conditions for a College Undergraduate Intern would involve office administrative work, sitting at a desk, assisting with other employees with their administrative duties to include computer and phone usage. May participate in the ride along program within the Department of Public Safety on a limited basis with proper documentation.
Work within business hours of 08:00 am to 05:00 pm.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here.
Agency Contact Information: Captain Michael Forgue, 575-760-1661 Email.
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
INTRODUCTION
The uniform patrol division of the Department of Public Safety relies on the support of a College Undergraduate Intern to assist with daily administrative operations of the district to assist them in learning the role within the department.
PURPOSE:
This position will enhance the districts overall performance by assisting officers and command staff with administrative tasks all while learning the aspects of law enforcement.
Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities for the College Undergraduate Intern will assist administratively command staff, officers and administrative staff with daily duties while learning the aspects of law enforcement. This will also include ride-a-longs with officers to observe law enforcement duties.
CUSTOMERS:
The College Undergraduate Intern should be someone who is interested in criminal justice, possibly have a career as an officer, administrative or community policing. This will provide hands-on exposure to law enforcement.
IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The College Undergraduate Intern should be someone who is interested in criminal justice, possibly have a career as an officer, administrative or community policing. This will provide hands-on exposure to law enforcement.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION:
Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university OR completion of at least four (4) semesters (or equivalent) at an accredited college or university within the last two (2) years.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and fingerprinting in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules and regulations; and is conditional pending results. Continued employment is contingent upon remaining felony free, per Section 5.12.1.1 of the Criminal Justice Information Systems Security Policy.
In addition, the selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a current Defensive Driving Certificate from the State of New Mexico; or pass and receive the Defensive Driving Certificate within six (6) months of date of hire.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The working conditions for a College Undergraduate Intern would involve office administrative work, sitting at a desk, assisting with other employees with their administrative duties to include computer and phone usage. May participate in the ride along program within the Department of Public Safety on a limited basis with proper documentation.
Work within business hours of 08:00 am to 05:00 pm.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here.
Agency Contact Information: Captain Michael Forgue, 575-760-1661 Email.
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Tips for Finding CPT Jobs in New Mexico
Target federal research institutions directly
Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Air Force Research Laboratory all recruit CPT-eligible interns. Apply directly through their official careers portals and filter for student or internship positions that align with your field of study.
Leverage your university's employer partnerships
UNM, NMSU, and New Mexico Tech maintain formal relationships with regional employers who regularly hire CPT students. Your international student office or career center will have a current list of pre-approved CPT employers familiar with the authorization process.
Align your job search with your major early
CPT authorization requires a direct connection between the internship and your degree program. Confirm with your DSO which roles qualify before applying, so you don't invest time pursuing positions that won't meet your school's CPT eligibility criteria.
Search industry-specific job boards for CPT roles
Migrate Mate lists F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs filtered by industry and state, making it easier to find New Mexico employers already experienced with student work authorization rather than cold-applying to companies unfamiliar with CPT requirements.
Network at STEM-focused events in Albuquerque
Albuquerque's Innovate ABQ ecosystem and New Mexico Tech's industry days connect students with hiring managers from energy, defense, and software companies. Face-to-face introductions at these events frequently lead to CPT internship opportunities before they're publicly posted.
Apply to renewable energy and oil and gas firms
New Mexico's energy sector, spanning solar, wind, and oil and gas operations in the Permian Basin region, actively recruits engineering and environmental science students. These employers often have established CPT workflows and hire interns for multi-semester placements.
See all 43+ F-1 CPT jobs in New Mexico
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Get Access To All JobsF-1 CPT Jobs in New Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in New Mexico sponsor the most F-1 CPT visas?
Federal research and defense industries lead F-1 CPT sponsorship in New Mexico, driven by institutions like Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Engineering, computer science, and physics students are especially in demand. Energy (both oil and gas and renewables), healthcare, and information technology are also consistent sources of CPT-eligible internships across the state.
Which cities in New Mexico have the most F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs?
Albuquerque has the highest concentration of F-1 CPT sponsorship opportunities in New Mexico, home to UNM, Kirtland Air Force Base, and a growing technology and healthcare sector. Santa Fe and Los Alamos offer positions tied to state government and national laboratory work. Las Cruces, home to NMSU, is a secondary market with CPT roles in agriculture, engineering, and education.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 CPT sponsorship in New Mexico?
Roles that qualify for F-1 CPT sponsorship in New Mexico are those directly related to your degree program. Common qualifying positions include software engineering internships, mechanical and electrical engineering co-ops, environmental science field roles, research assistant positions, data analysis internships, and project management roles within government contractors or energy firms. The role must be integral to or required by your academic program.
How do I find F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs in New Mexico?
Start with your university's career center, which maintains relationships with New Mexico employers experienced in CPT hiring. Migrate Mate is a job board built specifically for international students, allowing you to filter F-1 CPT jobs by state and industry so you can identify New Mexico employers already familiar with student work authorization. Applying directly to national laboratory and defense contractor intern programs is also effective.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 CPT sponsorship in New Mexico?
Many of New Mexico's largest employers, including Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories, require security clearance eligibility for certain roles, which can limit options for international students. It's worth confirming clearance requirements before applying. Additionally, some positions with federal contractors involve export control regulations that may affect which students can be hired, so reviewing job descriptions carefully and consulting your DSO is important before pursuing these roles.