Welcome to Discover Valley Water, an important part of the Next Gen Career Pathways Program. Discover Valley Water emphasizes fairness, opportunity, and open participation to help students succeed. The program fosters an environment where every individual feels empowered to contribute their unique strengths. This, in turn, enriches Valley Water with a wide range of skills and perspectives. We are dedicated to shaping the next generation through immersive experiences, personalized mentorship, and comprehensive career development.
Through the Discover Valley Water initiative, we work with colleges and universities nationwide to connect students with internship opportunities, promoting stable careers and building a workforce that serves Santa Clara County communities.
To prepare students for future careers in the water industry, Discover Valley Water uses proven student development practices such as setting clear learning goals, providing hands-on mentorship, tracking individual progress, and offering real-world exposure to water industry careers. The program also supports growth through workshops, professional networking events, and collaboration with schools and industry partners.
Goals:
- Actively seek candidates with a range of experiences and perspectives to build a welcoming and robust internship program.
- Partner with a variety of colleges and universities to expand access to internship opportunities.
- Engage students by providing a strong foundation for career growth, introducing them to Valley Water’s mission and aligning internship experiences with Valley Water’s values, helping to inspire future leaders in the water industry.
College Summer Internships
The 2026 College Summer Internship Program offers students nationwide a chance to gain practical experience while exploring careers in the water industry. Each intern will have a Valley Water staff mentor and will receive professional development training, participate in networking events, and prepare a capstone presentation at the end of the program. Although some positions in the program will follow a hybrid format, with a mix of in-office and remote work based on business needs, other roles may require interns to work on-site full-time in a lab, office, or field setting, as specified in the job postings.
Intern compensation is $28.27 per hour.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate applicants must be enrolled in an accredited community college or college/university and have completed at least two full-time years of study (i.e., entering their third or fourth year) by Fall 2026, or have graduated within the past six months.
- Graduate applicants must be enrolled in an accredited graduate program at a college or university in Fall 2026 or have completed their degree within the past six months.
- Proof of enrollment will be required prior to the start of the assignment.
- Applicants must be able to work full-time (40 hours/week) during the College Summer Internship Program.
- Only applicants who have not participated in a Valley Water College Summer Internship Program before will be considered.
- Valley Water requires interns to work within 150 miles of the Valley Water office they are to report to by their start date. The intern must perform their work in the State of California, not more than 150 miles from Valley Water’s office (5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA, or 1121 L Street, Suite 1000, Sacramento, CA) for the duration of their internship.
- Selected candidates must pass a pre-employment screening process, which includes reference and background/criminal checks.
Summer Internship Start & End Dates (Tentative):
Semester Students: May 26, 2026 to August 14, 2026 (12 weeks)
Quarter Students: June 15, 2026 to September 4, 2026 (12 weeks)
Application Process
Apply online! Application period will be between: February 2 - 15, 2026 (Tentative)
Complete the required online Employment Application
- Resume (recommended)
- Provide detailed responses to the Supplemental Questions listed in the online application
Please note: In the work experience section of the online application, school projects, volunteer, and extracurricular activities may be included in lieu of work experience.
Timeline
February 2026: Applications close and supplemental questions are reviewed by Valley Water.
March 2026: Mentors review applications and select interview candidates.
March-April 2026: Interviews are conducted via Zoom.
April 2026: Offers extended to the selected candidate and background checks processed.
May 2026: All students will be notified via a phone call if they are selected, so make sure you have your voicemail set up.
The schedule above may be subject to change
Summer Internship Information Sessions
Join us for our very own Summer Internship Information Sessions to help set you up for the best success on your summer internship applications! We will be discussing expert insights on how to navigate the application process, important deadlines, tips to excel, and past internship experiences. Join us to learn what Valley Water is all about!
If you are interested in learning more about upcoming summer internship information sessions, please join our Next Gen Career Pathways Program email list.
- Valley Water Intern Information Session - Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM PST.
- Valley Water Intern Information Session - Thursday, January 22, 2026 - 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM PST.
- Valley Water Intern Information Session - Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM PST.
Zoom Meeting Link:
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://valleywater.zoom.us/meeting/register/oFbMDRdJSYC1PquwSU7epg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
College Year-Round Internships
The College Year-Round Internship Program offers part-time opportunities for students to gain professional experience. Interns are paired with a Valley Water staff mentor, receive development training, and participate in networking events. Only some positions in the program will follow a hybrid format, with a mix of in-office and remote work based on business needs. Other roles may require interns to work on-site full-time in a lab, office, or field setting, as specified in the job postings. The College Year-Round Internship runs through the academic year and summer, offering students at any grade level in college or graduate school the opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on experience while continuing their studies.
Intern compensation is $28.27 per hour.
Eligibility
- Open to all currently enrolled college students (undergraduate or graduate, any year).
- Proof of enrollment will be required prior to the start of the assignment.
- Applicants must be able to work part-time (15-20 hours/week) during the internship program. The work schedule will be set through a discussion between the applicant and the manager.
- Valley Water requires interns to work within 150 miles of the Valley Water office they are to report to by their start date. The intern must perform their work in the State of California, not more than 150 miles from Valley Water’s office (5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA, or 1121 L Street, Suite 1000, Sacramento, CA) for the duration of their internship.
- Selected candidates must pass a pre-employment screening process, which includes reference and background/criminal checks.
For year-round college internships, please check the following job boards or sign up directly with our staffing partners. For job opportunities with Valley Water, be sure to search using “San Jose, CA” as the city to see our available positions. Valley Water works with these agencies to hire year-round interns:
Stay Connected with Valley Water’s Next Gen Career Pathways Program Internships
Want to be the first to know about upcoming internship opportunities, deadlines, info sessions, and career resources? Join our email list!
Sign up to receive:
- Notifications about the Discover Valley Water Program.
- Application tips and reminders.
- Invitations to Valley Water info sessions and events.
- Updates from the Next Gen Career Pathways Program.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/CiYdojdpJDKkbTT46
For more questions regarding Valley Water’s Next Gen Career Pathways Program, please contact [email protected].