For many students, the biggest barrier to opportunity isn’t ability—it’s awareness.
During the first year of a now-annual student engagement program, Coterra Energy’s Government & External Affairs representative, Becca Myers, noticed something striking: five students in attendance had never heard of New Mexico Junior College (NMJC), nor did they realize it was an accessible pathway to a stable, in-demand career.
By the end of that same year, all five students had enrolled.
That moment made it clear—when students are given direct exposure to real opportunities, it can expand what students see as possible for their future
Now in its third year, the program continues to do just that.
The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA) recently joined member company Coterra Energy for its annual student engagement event, bringing Lovington High School students to NMJC for a day of hands-on learning and career exploration. Hosted in partnership with NMJC’s Workforce Development team—including Vice President Steve Sauceda and Coordinator of Workforce Development Community Relations Katt Nieto—the event provided students with a hands-on look at career pathways within New Mexico’s energy industry.
This work is part of NMOGA’s broader effort to connect students to in-state opportunities through its Pathways platform, which highlights education, training, and career options across New Mexico’s energy sector—including programs offered at institutions like NMJC.
“We’re proud to partner with Lovington High School and the OPEP program in their third year of visiting New Mexico Junior College,” said Steve Sauceda, Vice President for Workforce Development at NMJC. “When students are exposed to real-world training opportunities early on, it opens doors and helps guide them toward career paths they can see themselves in.”
Hands-On Learning in Action
Students were accompanied by their teacher, Paden Hagler, who leads the Oil Field Pre-Employment Program (OPEP) at Lovington High School and was recently recognized as National New Teacher of the Year by the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). Through programs like OPEP, Hagler is helping prepare students with the foundational skills and industry awareness needed to pursue careers in the energy sector, continuing to expand access to real-world career and technical education opportunities across Southeast New Mexico.
Throughout the day, students rotated through a series of interactive experiences designed to connect classroom learning with real-world applications.
At NMJC’s training facilities, students had the opportunity to:
- Operate a commercial driver’s license (CDL) simulator, gaining insight into careers in transportation and logistics
- Participate in live demonstrations at a mock oil and gas facility, including lighting a heater-treater
- Engage in hands-on electrical wiring exercises
- Explore automation technologies currently used across the energy industry
These activities gave students a firsthand look at the skills and training used in today’s workforce, while also highlighting the diverse opportunities available within the oil and gas sector.
Understanding the Power of Automation
A highlight of the day was hearing from Stephen Calderon, Automation and Industrial Systems Instructor in Workforce Development at NMJC, who shared insights from his years of experience automating oil and gas sites across the Hobbs region.
Calderon began by addressing a common misconception—many people don’t immediately associate automation with the oil and gas industry. He explained that automation is simply the process of designing systems that can operate on their own, using everyday examples to make the concept relatable. For instance, he pointed to streetlights that automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn, emphasizing that automation is all around us and plays a critical role in modern society.
He noted that the oil and gas industry relies heavily on these automated systems to operate safely and efficiently, making automation an increasingly important skill set.
Drawing from his own experience, Calderon also spoke to the opportunities available within the field, noting that careers in automation can provide stability and opportunities for advancement.
To illustrate this, Calderon shared a personal story that resonated with students. Early in his career working in automation on oil and gas sites, he was able to build a level of stability and independence that gave him the flexibility to choose his next chapter. Today, he describes his role teaching at NMJC as something he chooses to do—not something he has to do—viewing it as a meaningful way to give back and invest in the next generation.
His story provided a real-world example of how career pathways in New Mexico’s energy industry can create not only immediate opportunity, but long-term stability and growth.
Connecting Education to Career Pathways
In addition to technical demonstrations, the event emphasized the opportunities available through energy careers in New Mexico.
During a lunch-and-learn session, NMJC instructors—many of whom have extensive industry experience—shared insights into career pathways, workplace expectations, and the importance of professional skills such as communication, reliability, and adaptability. Students were able to ask questions and hear firsthand about the opportunities available to them right here in their home state.
Strengthening New Mexico’s Workforce Pipeline
Events like this reflect NMOGA’s ongoing commitment to building a strong, sustainable workforce pipeline by connecting students with industry, education, and training opportunities.
Through partnerships with member companies like Coterra Energy, as well as educators and post-secondary institutions like NMJC, NMOGA continues to help support students and the future workforce in New Mexico.
Students, educators, and families interested in exploring these opportunities further can visit NMOGA’s Pathways platform to learn more about training programs, career options, and education providers across the state.
👉 Explore New Mexico Junior College’s profile on NMOGA Pathways:
https://pathways.nmoga.org/new_mexico_junior_college_nmjc
When students can see what’s possible, they can begin to build a future they didn’t know was within reach.
