Every day, impoverished young people in Mexico struggle to find opportunities for a better way of life. Salesian missionaries at the Don Bosco Technological Institute in Saltillo, the capital city in the state of Coahuila, are working to provide youth with the education and in-demand skills they need to find stable employment and hope for a brighter future. Pedro is one of them.

He is a mechatronics engineering student at the Don Bosco Technological Institute, who recently earned an internship at Tesla in California—a unique opportunity he credits to his Salesian education.

“Working while studying is a commitment and requires a great responsibility,” Pedro explains. “I thank the Don Bosco Technological Institute for supporting me and allowing me to have this great experience of doing my internship abroad. In the United States, I can continue to get an excellent level of education as well as new challenges.”

During his internship, Pedro will collaborate on a project to install and improve electrical systems and pneumatic and hydraulic controls. He will also help update and adapt various automation systems and integrate new production lines.

He says, “Everything is different at Tesla. There’s a lot of planning. It’s a great work culture.” Pedro now has the chance to “practice what he’s been taught” by applying what he’s learned in the classroom to a real-world situation—and he believes that this is a remarkable opportunity for his academic, professional and human growth.

The Don Bosco Technological Institute was built more than a decade ago and has experienced significant development in the years since. More than 1,000 students attend courses as part of a program culminating in a bachelor’s degree in technology. Through workforce development initiatives such as résumé-writing assistance and interviewing skills, the technical school also helps students find and retain stable employment upon graduation.

The state of Coahuila’s business community has rallied around the Don Bosco Technological Institute, and it has become an integral support to students. Salesian missionaries working at the school have made connections within it to help students make an easier transition from the classroom into the workforce. Employers are impressed by the level of technical skill the school’s graduates have and also their employment preparedness.

“The school’s programs respond to the local need for technical skills by providing high-quality training courses, which is very much appreciated in a region known for its industrial activity,” says Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “Through coursework and internships at Tesla and other companies, students like Pedro leave the technical school with the professional skills and aptitude necessary to excel in the workforce.”

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