The Tapia Center is seeking current or recent undergraduate and graduate students to join us at the Tapia STEM Camps this summer as STEM instructors and camp counselors. We are looking for applicants who are dependable, compassionate and willing to have fun as you guide and mentor rising 8th - 12th grade students. Before you apply, we’d like to share what you can gain from this opportunity. Here are a few reasons to join us this summer.

1. Help 8th-12th graders develop their passion in STEM

The main goal of the Tapia Camps is to expand access to STEM and help students see their possibilities for the future. Many campers arrive curious but unsure of where they fit within STEM fields or whether they belong at all.

As a member of the summer staff, you play a key role in shaping that perspective. Through your interactions, you help students connect what they’re learning to real opportunities, making STEM feel more tangible, relevant, and attainable. Whether it’s through a classroom breakthrough, a casual conversation, or simple encouragement, your presence can influence how a student views their abilities and potential.

For many campers, this experience is a defining moment that builds confidence, sparks long-term interest, and changes how they see themselves in relation to STEM. Being part of that process means contributing to something that extends far beyond a single week of camp.

"I was proud to know I had encouraged some students to apply to college when they doubted themselves." - Previous Summer Staff

2. Build real-world communication and teamwork skills

Working at the Tapia Camps provides summer staff with a host of transferable soft skills. For instructors, explaining STEM concepts to a classroom requires clear and adaptable communication, especially because your students will all have a different level of background knowledge. Campers often struggle to articulate what they don’t understand, giving you the opportunity to interpret confusion, ask the right questions, and adjust your approach in real time. Counselors are tasked with handling group dynamics, maintaining engagement and ensuring everyone feels welcome at camp. These responsibilities require empathy and an understanding of both verbal and nonverbal communication communication. Designing and executing events for dozens of campers, such as the weekly Talent Show, also emphasizes planning ahead while being ready to adapt quickly when faced with unpredictable situations.

In both roles, you’ll strengthen time management during packed daily schedules, navigate conflict and difficult conversations, and establish dependability within a team, learning when to lead and when to support. These are practical skills that carry into most careers, from collaborating with colleagues to managing projects and responding to the needs of others effectively.

"Working at Tapia Camps really showed me how important it is to adapt how you communicate so everyone can understand and feel included." - Previous Summer Staff

3. Network with professionals from industry and academia

Each summer, Tapia Camps brings together students and recent graduates from a wide range of majors, universities, and career paths to collaborate and support the camp experience. This shared effort in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment helps to connect staff and form friendships that often last well beyond the summer.

These connections with individuals at different stages of their careers give you access to firsthand insights, advice, and, in some cases, mentorship, helping to expand your professional network. In addition, senior staff at the Tapia Center are experienced faculty members who are eager to offer guidance and can provide detailed letters of recommendation based on your performance at camp.

There are also opportunities to engage with industry professionals. Tapia Camps collaborates with organizations such as ExxonMobil, Goya Foods, HEB and other corporate sponsors, whose representatives occasionally participate in the camp’s programming.

4. Earn while you learn

Tapia Camps recognizes the time and energy summer staff put into making the program a success. As a result, counselors and instructors earn approximately $4,000 over the summer, along with an additional $550 in meals provided during the program.

Included in this compensation is 50 hours of structured, paid training. During this time, you’ll learn the instructional, mentorship, and teamwork skills needed to navigate a fast-paced camp environment. This preparation ensures that you begin the summer with the confidence and support needed to succeed in your role.

Are you interested? Find out more about the roles and apply today on our hiring webpage!

- Leighton Less, Program Administrator, Tapia Center