Real work in a working studio — alongside silversmiths who have spent decades at the bench.
Paid hands-on jewelry-making experience for school credit.
The T.Skies Internship is for students at CNM's Bench Jewelry program and at local Albuquerque high schools — particularly students from Indigenous communities — who would like to earn school credit AND a paid wage while learning real-world experience in a working jewelry studio.
Internship time and credits are coordinated with the school. Students must meet all standards required by their school to apply for the program. The internship is real work in a working studio: you learn by doing, alongside silversmiths who have spent decades at the bench. Most internships shuffle spreadsheets. Ours teaches you to make jewelry that lasts a hundred years.
Interns work on real production alongside experienced silversmiths — not observation, not busywork. Depending on skill level and stage in the program, interns assist with stone setting, finishing, quality inspection, and studio operations. Advanced interns participate in original design work under mentorship.
Every intern leaves with documented skills, hands-on portfolio work, and a letter of recommendation from a working professional. The studio environment is collaborative and cross-generational — artists at every level share the same workspace.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and coordinated through each student's school or program coordinator. Students must be enrolled at CNM's Bench Jewelry program or at a participating Albuquerque high school, and must be in good academic standing to qualify.
Priority is given to Indigenous students and students demonstrating financial need, consistent with the Co-Op's mission. There is no cost to participate — intern wages and materials are funded by the Co-Op and T.Skies' program budget.
Apply to the Internship →I've watched interns go from never holding a file to finishing stones they're proud enough to keep. That's what the program is for. The school credit is incidental.
— Mateo