Socorro women earns Gov. office internship

Every year the New Mexico Governor’s Office sifts through thousands of applications for their summer internship program, and the minimum qualifications are rather lofty. Hopeful candidates must carry at least a 3.0 grade point average, submit a letter of recommendation and pass a background check.

This year, Socorro’s own Martha Murillo is among those lucky few that have been selected. Murillo, 31, applied for the intern position about a month ago and found out on May 3 that she’s been chosen to work in the Regulations and Licensing Department. Next week she’ll make the move to Albuquerque to stay with a friend there so she can commute the 60 miles to Santa Fe on weekdays. Her internship will officially begin on May 31, and last until Aug. 5.

During her time at the governor’s office, she’ll be involved in reviewing and renewing applications for professional permits, alcohol servers permits, consumer protection services and requests under the Inspection of Public Records Act.

The only downside to this whole scenario is, except for weekends, Murrillo will have to sacrifice the company of her children for a period of about two months.

“It’s going be rough,” she said. “But it’ll be a good experience and I’ve talked to my kids. We’re spending as much time as we can right now.”

While she’s working in Santa Fe during the week, Murillo’s parents will be taking care of her kids. Her father, George, is currently serving as interim director of campus police at New Mexico Tech, and her mother works for Presbyterian Health Care.

“My parents have gone above and beyond to get me where I am,” she said.

In addition to her upcoming internship, Murillo will also be receiving her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from ITT Techcnical Institute in June. She was valedictorian of her class when she earned her associates degree and she’ll graduate from ITT with highest honors and a 3.98 GPA.

Murillo wants to go into juvenile probation when all is said and done, but she knows the experience she’ll gain working within a high level of government is invaluable.

“It’s not something I’m going to be able to do all the time,” she said. “It’s an internship at the governor’s office. It’s the chance of a lifetime.”

During the summer she also normally participates in the Socorro summer softball league, she’s a member of the National Technical Honor Society, and, in addition to her school work, she puts in close to 40 hours a week as the office manager at Leseberg’s Auto.

Murillo knows working in Santa Fe will create some havoc in her life, but she’s hoping the end result will lead to a little bit of consistent normalcy.

“My life has been very, very busy,” she said. “I’m kind of hoping for a slow down.”

Murillo may not be 100 percent sure when her life will slow down, but what she can say for sure is where she wants to settle down. Right back in her home town, or close to it at least.

“I hopefully want to live in the same general area,” she said. “I’ll go where the job takes me, but to a certain point.”

Regardless of where Murillo does end up, she’ll continue to have a strong and loyal support group at her side. She said her friends have been great in helping out her and her kids, and her current employer has been understanding and accommodating of her hectic lifestyle. “Leseberg’s Auto has given me time for classes and they’ve been great to work for,” she said.

Martha Murillo will report for orientation on May 23, which also happens to be her birthday. A gift or sorts, the internship may help set the course for the next 32 years of her life.