BROWNSVILLE, Texas (August 4, 2025) —Looking over the turning basin from the Port of Brownsville’s Harbor Master’s Office, Maritime Business Administration major Samuel Hinojosa spent this summer preparing for his final semester at Texas A&M University – Galveston, as an intern gaining valuable hands-on experience in the maritime industry.
Hinojosa was one of three college students selected to intern at the Port of Brownsville this summer as part of its ongoing workforce development efforts. Alongside him were Pierce De La Cruz Grove, a finance major and rising sophomore at the University of Notre Dame, and Antonio Gutierrez, a senior at Texas A&M University, set to graduate this fall with a degree in Industrial Distribution. Each intern was placed in a department that aligns with their career aspirations and academic background, giving them valuable professional insight and on-the-ground experience.
“At the Port of Brownsville, we know that people are at the heart of our progress, which is why giving these talented students an opportunity to work at our port is vital to future success,” said Port Director and CEO William Dietrich. “The insights and energy they bring to their internships are inspiring; we are happy to facilitate their growth as they start their career journey.”
This was Hinojosa’s second summer interning at the Port of Brownsville; previously, he’d spent his internship rotating between the port’s Engineering, Facilities Maintenance, and Overweight Permit offices. Hinojosa said this summer internship was even better because he was more comfortable working with the port staff. “I learned the importance of communication and became a stronger communicator,” Hinojosa said.
De La Cruz Grove joined the port’s Finance Department, where he focused on analyzing financial data and identifying trends tied to long-term capital investments. His internship also included exposure to the port’s budgeting processes, internal controls, and reporting strategies.
“The Port of Brownsville has shown me how different departments work together and helped me see how organizational structures function from a career-building perspective,” said De La Cruz Grove.
De La Cruz Grove is one of the 2024 recipients of the Port of Brownsville Scholarship, a program established in 2020 by the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners to support local students pursuing higher education. To date, the scholarship has awarded $192,000 to 192 students attending schools within the district.
Gutierrez, who interned with the Cargo Services Department, had the opportunity to work closely with port operations teams. Gutierrez said the experience deepened his appreciation for the port’s role in driving economic growth and creating job opportunities in the region.
As the only deepwater seaport on the U.S.-Mexico border, the Port of Brownsville plays a critical role in supporting local workforce pipelines. With more than 230 companies operating within the port and its surrounding industrial areas, internship programs help ensure that young professionals are prepared to meet the demands of rapidly expanding industries such as steel, shipbuilding, logistics, and energy.
By connecting students with real-world experience and mentorship, the Port of Brownsville reinforces its commitment to long-term workforce development. For future interns at the port, Hinojosa offered words of advice and encouragement. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, you’re here to learn,” Hinojosa said.
From Left to Right: Summer interns Samuel Hinojosa, Pierce De La Cruz Grove, and Antonio Gutierrez stand at Dock 15 at the Port of Brownsville, where they gained hands-on experience in maritime operations, finance, and cargo services as part of the port’s commitment to workforce development.
