Connections Academy Sophomore Secures an Internship with IBM

September 11, 2026 byRob Sentz

6 min to read

Aleyna Torres with her father at IBM’s Austin office

How many high school sophomores can say they’ve completed an internship with global technology innovator, IBM?

Aleyna Torres, a student at Texas Connections Academy, can.

“My first thought after being accepted into the program was—am I really going to do this, especially so young? Because internships are usually known for being for adults.” Making the opportunity even more remarkable, Aleyna hails from Eagle Pass, a small town of just 30,000 people on the US-Mexico border, a full four hours away from IBM’s office in Austin.

So, how did a high school sophomore from a small town pull off such a great opportunity?

It is all because Connections Academy has developed a virtual internship program that matches students to mentors at some of America’s largest and most well-established companies. And because the program is virtual, it means any student can get involved, regardless of their location.

Matching student interest to real-world opportunity

*Aleyna Torres visits IBM’s Austin office in June, 2026*

In the Spring of 2026, Aleyna and other Connections Academy students from various communities across Texas joined the one-month program led by professional mentors that covered in-demand topics such as cybersecurity and marketing.

“When I was her age, there was no opportunity such as this. None whatsoever,” said Jacob Torres, Aleyna's father.

Aleyna’s teacher recommended the program to her because Aleyna had previously expressed an interest in cybersecurity, which was one of the topics that would be covered in the virtual internship.

The beauty of the program is that Connection Academy teachers and counselors prioritize students' interests and future aspirations when matching them with work-based learning opportunities. As a result, Aleyna’s teachers knew she was a great match for the program despite her young age.

What did Aleyna learn in the program?

*Aleyna Torres meets with students and school leaders*

During the four-week program, Aleyna worked with an IBM mentor who assigned research projects that taught her the key principles of cybersecurity and required her to present on real-world problems and scenarios tackled by IBM professionals.

In a final presentation, Aleyna and her fellow interns had to demonstrate how they would defend a company from cyberattacks. Aleyna chose to protect a fictional healthcare company she named “Medicare Connect” because she believed healthcare security to be an important but under-discussed area, particularly regarding patient data protection.

Aleyna noted that the most valuable aspect of the program was the opportunity to do actual work with an IBM mentor, which felt more like a workplace than a classroom. “Knowing someone at IBM is empowering because now I have someone I can ask for guidance,” said Aleyna.

Another key value of the program, as well as one of its most difficult requirements, was that it forced her to develop her writing, presentation, and time-management skills. Yes, she learned many technical skills involved in cybersecurity, but she also had to develop numerous durable skills that will serve her everywhere. “There was a lot of writing, and I had to do it in just a few days,” said Aleyna. “We focused on other skills that are not only going to work for the internship, but beyond it.”

Looking forward to the future

As Aleyna enters her junior year, she is excited to continue preparing for college and to take more cybersecurity courses to refine what she has already learned.

When Jacob reflected on his daughter’s experience with Connections Academy and the internship, he said that the high academic standards, the flexible schedule, and the internship have prepared Aleyna for college. “When I think about Aleyna’s future, I am excited about her doing something she actually enjoys,” he said.

To learn more about how Connections Academy helps students build confidence, discover their interests, and prepare for life after graduation, explore our online school resources and curriculum offerings available at a school near you.