AC STEM Intern Turns Second Choice into First Opportunity

Cybersecurity student Bradley Dalpaz didn’t expect his Amarillo College internship to take him out of the office and into open fields — or into a future job offer.

At Ama TechTel, Dalpaz, a computer science major, worked entirely in the field, installing low-voltage wiring, troubleshooting outdoor processors, and even checking temperatures at a Bitcoin mining farm in White Deer — where it could hit 155 degrees. 

“It was way more hands-on than I was expecting, and it was the best experience ever,” he said.  “Hands-on learning is the best.”

The role was a culture shift from his past jobs.

“I showed up in a full suit and tie on my first day,” he laughed. “Then they took me to a field to pull wires from the ground. I learned real quick the dress code was jeans and a T-shirt. Everyone joked around, and it felt like being part of a team from day one.”

Originally the company’s second-choice candidate, Dalpaz was surprised to get a call offering him the spot — and even more surprised when they later proposed creating a flexible apprenticeship so he could keep working while finishing his bachelor’s degree at West Texas A&M University.

“I’m incredibly honored,” he said. “If I can graduate with my degree and two years of IT experience, that’s a huge advantage. Not a lot of people get that opportunity, and I’m going to make the most of it.”