Maintenance workers call Dallas ISD home
Dallas ISD intern Yandel Saldana, Southeast Maintenance HVAC technician, is proof that a skilled trade can open doors early in life. At just 19 years old, Saldana is already building a meaningful career with the district , turning a summer internship with Maintenance and Facilities Services into a full-time career and future opportunities in the field.
Saldana is one of hundreds of high school students who seek real-world experience every summer through the district’s internship program. Just last summer, the internship program offered 991 placement opportunities. A few of those turned into full-time employment afterwards, including the jobs Saldana and Humberto Medrano currently hold.
According to Miriam Gaytan, executive director of Maintenance and Operations, Maintenance and Facilities Services began with six interns in 2024. Since then, the program has really taken off, with the department hiring 30 interns this summer, she said.
“When I first started here, I saw how efficient everyone and everything was—how the HVAC team managed all their work,” said Saldana of his first day as an intern in a genuinely appreciative tone. “I really liked it because every day was something different. I just realized, ‘I want to be here.’”
Saldana, a graduate of Bryan Adams High School, entered the HVAC/R program through Career Institute South. Twice a week he would learn about the fundamentals of residential units, but stepping into the large-scale systems of school facilities was a major shift.
“The units are much larger and the components are entirely different, especially when it comes to changing them out,” he said.
One of Saldana’s biggest challenges hasn’t been technical. Naturally quiet, he had to overcome shyness to address teachers and staff about issues in their classrooms.
“I’m not a big fan of talking to people, but since starting this job, I’ve had to speak with teachers more often about what’s happening. That was a pretty big challenge for me, but I’m getting better at it,” he said.
Day to day, Saldana’s work is varied and hands-on. He checks his work orders, travels across multiple campuses, changes filters, installs portable AC units, and supports technicians on more complex repairs like motors and compressors. Saldana sees his age as an advantage, not a limitation.
“It’s a massive advantage at my age. This is a great career path, and not many people my age have the opportunity I had to work with Dallas ISD,” Saldana said.
Jorge Hernandez, HVAC SE supervisor, described Saldana as eager, explaining that he wanted to run and impress right off the bat.
“Saldana sees the job as a whole new experience and is not afraid to say, “I don’t know much of this stuff, but I want to learn,’” Hernandez said.
In his preventive maintenance role, Saldana acts as the eyes of the HVAC team, able to spot problems early, making him indispensable to the department, Hernandez said.
Darrien Field, HVAC Repair Technician, mentored Saldana as an HVAC intern and quickly noticed his willingness to learn and strong drive. Under his supervision, Saldana worked on real equipment. Field said supervisors let interns do everything within reason, which included working on chillers, cooling towers and package units.
Within the next five years, Saldana hopes to be a full technician assigned to his own set of schools, matching the knowledge of his mentor.
“If you really want it, go after it. Never give up and chase your dreams,” Saldana said.
Humberto Medrano—Northeast Maintenance plumbing apprentice
For Humberto Medrano, Northeast Maintenance plumbing apprentice, plumbing is more than a job—it’s a smart, future‑proof career choice rooted in both practicality and passion. A graduate of H. Grady Spruce High School, Medrano spent his last three years of high school immersed in plumbing courses, dedicating three hours every B day to learning the trade.
After graduating, Medrano joined Maintenance and Facilities Services as a plumbing intern last summer. His strong work ethic and curiosity quickly stood out, and he was hired full time after graduation, continuing his journey in the district that nurtured his skills.
“Pipes are always going to go with pipes and fittings with fittings; it’s not going to be easy for a robot to steal a job like mine,” he joked.
That practical mindset guides how Medrano views his work today. He finds drainage systems particularly fascinating, especially the everyday details most people overlook like what should and shouldn’t go down a drain.
“For instance, you’re not supposed to pour grease down a drain. Over time, it hardens and eventually blocks any water from passing through,” he explained, noting how simple habits can prevent major plumbing issues.
NE Supervisor Justin Morris, a Seagoville High School graduate, said Medrano is the kind of young worker he seeks when hiring.
“He’s a self-starter,” he said. “He’s outgoing. You pretty much don’t have to tell him anything,” said Morris, who sees Medrano’s drive as a strength.
“With his work ethic, sky’s the limit for him,” he said.
Likewise, when Joshua Fisher, plumber and Medrano’s former mentor, first met him, he immediately sensed there was something different about the young man. It wasn’t just Medrano’s résumé or certifications—it was the way he carried himself.
“From his initial presence to the way he shook hands and made eye contact, he seemed very structured for his age. He is clearly mature beyond his years,” Fisher said.
Just like Saldana, Medrano earned a certificate and gained early exposure to real-world work through Career Institute South. It is this experience, Fisher said, that has given Medrano the confidence to tackle any projects—or tools—he is given.
“That’s the attitude I like. He’s not afraid to try new things, and because he’s such an intelligent young man, once he does something once, he knows exactly how to do it again,” Fisher said.
What Medrano finds most rewarding about his career of choice is the combination of hands-on experience and the financial opportunity that comes with learning a skilled trade.
“Financially speaking, you have to pay to get certified if you go to college—whereas here, they’re paying me to get certified,” he said. Medrano said that he expects to earn his journeyman plumbing license in three years.
Looking ahead, Medrano said he intends to remain focused on growth, certification, and mastering one of the toughest jobs in maintenance. His message to his younger self—and to future interns—is especially relevant in a technology-saturated world.
“Learn to respect others and always listen. Pay attention and stay off your phone. Keep at it—it’s a great career and a wonderful opportunity,” he said.
