Alvaro Iniguez Ruiz, the first in his family to earn a college degree, leveraged the benefits of a college internship to secure a career at the Hanford Site.
Office of Environmental Management
January 7, 2025
minute read time
RICHLAND, Wash. — Alvaro Iniguez Ruiz, the first in his family to earn a college degree, leveraged the benefits of a college internship to secure a career at the Hanford Site.
His values, combined with opportunities provided by Hanford contractor Navarro-ATL’s internship program, enabled him to overcome obstacles and achieve full-time employment at the site’s 222-S Laboratory.
Iniguez's story is one of resilience, determination and growth. His journey begins with his parents, who each moved from Michoacan, Mexico, to Sunnyside, Washington, in 1995. It was in Washington that they met, fell in love and started a family, all while working in the agricultural industry.
Growing up in a household where Spanish was the primary language, Iniguez did not start learning English until he attended school at the age of 7. This initial language barrier posed challenges, but his determination and eagerness to learn helped him quickly adapt.
Iniguez's hard work and dedication were evident as he excelled in his studies. He graduated from Sunnyside High School in 2016, where he established a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. His passion for STEM subjects fueled his desire to pursue further education and explore new opportunities. Throughout his childhood, his family instilled in him the strong values of hard work and education.
With a goal to be the first in his family to obtain a college degree, Iniguez began studying applied management at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington. As Iniguez prepared for the next chapter in his life, he carried with him the lessons learned from his parents' perseverance and his own experiences overcoming challenges. He secured an internship with Navarro-ATL in June 2024, and by September the contractor offered him a full-time position as a work planner.
In his current role, Iniguez assembles work packages that provide staff with instructions on performing tasks. Work control planners collaborate with subject matter experts to assess hazards and define methods to do the work safety. They also work closely with workers and engineers to create a document that provides detailed instructions on how to perform technical tasks. He and his team help ensure all work at the laboratory is conducted safely and in a controlled and technically sound manner to protect the health and safety of the workforce.
Ray Geimer, general manager at Navarro-ATL, recognizes the benefits of fostering young talent.
“Navarro-ATL is committed to developing the next generation of workers at the Hanford Site. The transfer of knowledge from experienced workers to interns is invaluable and can lead to exciting opportunities,” Geimer said. “Alvaro is the perfect example of how dedication, persistence and talent can transform an internship into a full-time career."
Iniguez says working at Hanford is a pleasure.
“I appreciate the support of Navarro-ATL and the trust my teammates have in me at the 222-S Laboratory,” he said. “I am hopeful that I will advance in my new position.”
Iniguez’s journey is a testament to the power of hard work, the importance of education and the impact of supporting the next-generation workforce.
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