Be one of our first Career Pathways partners
Our Community and Career Pathways Program gives local businesses a real part in building our community. Share your work, your experience and your story with our middle schoolers, and help them see what's possible in high school and beyond.
Where local businesses help students discover careers
Students can read about a career, but it clicks when they meet someone who does the work. That's why our program teams up with Albuquerque businesses, agencies and nonprofits to show our middle schoolers real careers and inspire them for high school and beyond.
You might visit a class, host a field trip or check in on a project for a few weeks. Along the way, you become part of how our students grow, and part of a South Valley where young people know the work their neighbors do.
Who takes part?
Local businesses, nonprofits, public agencies and anyone with a trade to share.
What do partners do?
Visit a class, host a field trip or work alongside students on a project.
What does it build?
Closer ties between SVP, local employers and the families of the South Valley.
Why we're starting Career Pathways
Pathways available at SVP for 6th - 8th graders
Find the one closest to your work. Two pathways already have a partner and four are still looking for their first. Every pathway has room for more.
6th grade
Arts, Culture & Community Voice
Artists, makers, museums, libraries and cultural groups
Partner neededAgriculture, Gardening & Food Systems
Farms, community gardens, food businesses and environmental nonprofits
Partner: Los Jardines Institute7th grade
Health & Wellness and Human Services
Clinics, health organizations and youth development groups
Partner neededEngineering & Technology
Engineering firms, technology companies, universities and labs
Partner needed8th grade
Civic Leadership
Public agencies, neighborhood groups and community leaders
Partner neededKey Trade Careers
Repair shops, builders, electricians, welders and apprenticeship programs
Partner: All Wheel Performance
Become a Pathways partner
Each of these pathways needs someone from outside the school. If your work fits one, or you're not sure where it fits, we'd like to hear from you.
How our partners can participate
It's up to you how you share your business or trade. Volunteer for a single class visit, or pick a few ways to take part, and give students something to learn from and be inspired by.
Bring your work into the classroom
The easiest place to start. You come to us, the teacher runs the room, and students hear from someone who does the work every day.
Speak to a class
About 1 hourTell students what you do, how you got there and what a normal day is like.
Come to a showcase
1 to 2 hoursSee what students made at the end of a project and tell them what you think of it.
Open your doors to students
Students see the work up close, in the place where it really happens.
Host a field trip
Half a dayBring a class to your shop, office, clinic, studio or farm so they can see the work up close.
Offer a job shadow
1 school dayLet a student follow you or someone on your team for part of a workday.
Work alongside students on a project
For partners who want to go deeper. Projects run four to six weeks and end with a showcase or a service to the community.
Mentor a project
30 min a week for 4 to 6 weeksCheck in with a group of students while they work on a project that runs four to six weeks.
Work on a project together
4 to 6 weeksHand students a problem from your own work and see what they come up with.
@southvalleyprep
The community around SVP
What your organization gets back
You share a little of your time with our students. In return, your organization gets recognized, gets seen around the South Valley and gets a hand in inspiring the next generation.
Ready to become our community partner?
Tell us a little about you and how you'd like to take part. It only takes a few minutes, doesn't commit you to anything, and lets us reach out to plan what fits your schedule.
Crystal leads South Valley Prep and heads the Community and Career Pathways Program. She works with each partner to plan class visits, field trips and projects that bring real careers into our students' lives.
Would you rather talk?
asksvp@southvalleyprep.org
2551 Karsten Court SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Front office open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Thank you!
We got your form. Someone from South Valley Prep will call or email you to learn more about what you do.
Can't wait? Call us at (505) 222-5642.
Questions about becoming a partner
Does it cost anything to be a partner?
No. We ask partners for time and know-how. We don't ask for donations or sponsorships.
How much time does it take?
That depends on what you sign up for. A class talk is one visit. Mentoring a project means checking in over four to six weeks. Tell us what you can give and we'll plan around it.
Can more than one business partner on the same pathway?
Yes. Every pathway has room for more than one partner, so you can join one that already has a partner.
Can we start small and see how it goes?
Yes. A single class visit counts. Start with one visit and decide from there what else you'd like to do.
What would I talk about as a guest speaker?
Your job, how you got into it and what a normal day looks like. Bring a tool, a photo or a story to share. Students remember what they can see and hold, and we'll send you a few prompts before you come.
Can a small business or a one-person shop take part?
Yes. Some of the best visits come from one person who loves their trade. You don't need a big team or a polished presentation.
We're a nonprofit or public agency. Is this for us?
Yes. Groups that serve the community are a natural fit, especially for Civic Leadership, Health & Wellness and Arts, Culture & Community Voice.
Can students help with a project we already run?
Often, yes. Every pathway ends with a showcase or a service to the community. Tell us about your project and the teacher will see where it fits.
Do you work with libraries, museums and cultural centers?
Yes. They're among the partners we hope to work with. A visit, a tour or help with a student project are all good places to start.
What if my work doesn't match any of the six pathways?
Send the form anyway and tell us what you do. We'll let you know if there's a place for it.
Can our volunteers take part, or only staff?
Either. Tell us who would like to come, and we'll match them with the pathway that fits their work.
Can we share our programs with students and families?
Yes, when it fits the pathway. Visits focus on the work you do, and a short mention of what your group offers is welcome.
We run a college or STEM program. How can we take part?
You could host a campus or lab visit, run a hands-on activity in class, or mentor a project. Engineering & Technology and Health & Wellness are good places to start.
Does this connect to high school career programs?
That's part of the goal. The Key Trade Careers pathway helps students get ready for career and technical education (CTE) programs in high school. If you run one, we'd like students to hear about it early.
Which grades would we work with?
Middle schoolers in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. Each grade has its own pathways, listed above under Find your pathway.
Can we work with more than one grade?
Yes. If your program fits more than one pathway, tell us and we'll connect you with each teacher.
Can our high school students mentor middle schoolers?
Yes. Older students are often the speakers our middle schoolers relate to most. Students from Health Leadership High School have already spoken to our 8th graders.
Can SVP students visit our campus?
Yes. A campus or lab visit is one of the ways to take part. Our students have already spent a STEM day at UNM.
Who can be a partner?
Businesses of any size, nonprofits, public agencies, colleges and universities, artists, and anyone who works in a trade or profession.
What happens after I send the form?
Someone from South Valley Prep calls or emails to learn more about what you do. Then you plan the details with the pathway's teacher.
Do I need to know how to teach?
No. You plan your visit with the pathway's teacher. When you speak to a class, the teacher is in the room.
Will I need a background check?
It depends on what you'll be doing. Speaking to a class with a teacher in the room is different from mentoring students every week. We'll tell you what's required before you start.
How soon could we start?
We'll plan a date with the pathway's teacher that works for both of you. Send the form and we'll take it from there.
Can I visit SVP before I commit?
Yes. Ask for a campus tour when we get in touch, and you can see the classrooms and meet the teachers first.
Is this a way to volunteer in Albuquerque?
Yes. Partners volunteer their time and know-how. There's no cost, no donation and no paperwork to sign up. You choose how much time you give.
Where is South Valley Prep?
We're a public charter middle school for 6th to 8th grade at 2551 Karsten Court SE in Albuquerque's South Valley. Most visits happen right here on campus.