This event is open to the public.
Join us for our 2nd Annual College and Career Pathways Conference. This is a week long virtual conference for High School and Middle School Students to select and participate in sessions via zoom. Traditionally, our program provides and allows for multiple college visits through the year. With current contact restrictions and to provide equitable opportunity for all of our MESA students, we will convert this experience. Our University sessions will offer a virtual fieldtrip experience highlighting exciting facilities and STEM programs. Our community partner sessions will provide valuable information on college and career preparedness.
For all Attending, We Will Have a Prize Raffle:
- To be eligible for raffle, students/advisors must attend at least (2) sessions.
- Each session you attend will give you an entry into the raffle….multiple opportunities for an entry.
- Up to 250 Conference Prize Packs will be mailed to winners with items from our Universities and Session Presenters
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THE GRAND PRIZES will be a Laptop Computer!
- To win computer, you must be a NM MESA member at a NM MESA School with all required forms submitted (A-1, A-2)
- If we have more than 150 eligible attendees, (2) Laptop Computers will be awarded.
Event Materials:
- Conference Event Flyer (PDF)
- Downloadable Conference Schedule and Session Descriptions with ZOOM Links-Available November 29, 2021 (PDF)
General Information:
- NM MESA Students: Each session you attend will give you (1) Workshop Credit (5 Points). There are 21 multiple workshops in up to 12 possible timeslots so lots of activity points available!
- All sessions will be recorded and posted on this site after the conference along with session materials and handouts.
Conference is November 30-December 3 with Sessions at 2:00, 4:00, and 6:00 PM MST.
Session Descriptions:
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Tuesday, November 30 |
Wednesday, December 1 |
Thursday, December 2 |
Friday, December 3 |
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2:00-3:00 PM |
Luna Community College STEM Department |
New Mexico State University College of Engineering |
Western New Mexico University |
University of New Mexico College of Engineering |
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HELP NM, Inc. WIOA Youth Program |
NM Public Education Dept. Career Exploration Using Career Clusters |
African American Student Services College Navigation Tools |
ENLACE New Mexico Strategies for Academic Success |
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ACT Education College and Career Readiness |
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4:00-5:00 PM |
New Mexico Tech Mechanical Engineering |
New Mexico Highlands University ARMAS/Arts & Sciences |
Eastern New Mexico University |
NM Workforce Connection Digital Footprint |
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NM Dept. of Workforce Solutions Interview Skills |
RMACAC Paying for College |
NM Public Education Dept. Work Based Learning |
Nusenda Credit Union Financing Your Dreams |
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6:00-7:15 PM |
NM Dept. of Workforce Solutions Why I Work? |
NM MESA College Fair via Gather |
NMEAF FAFSA Fundamentals |
Princeton Review Preparing for the SAT |
Tuesday, November 30, 2021:
Luna Community College-Department of STEM
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
Explore the unique 3D Printing Lab and other facility highlights. Join is for this virtual college experience. Our college sessions will highlight STEM opportunities at our partner institutions and will give you important admissions information. Different from a recruitment session, this session will highlight what makes this university unique and appealing to our MESA students.
HELP New Mexico, Inc.-WIOA Youth program
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 enacted a youth employment program for serving eligible youth, ages 16-24, who face barriers to education, training, and employment. The program includes 14 program elements that are required to be made available to youth participants. HELP New Mexico, Inc., youth services provider, delivers youth services in partnership with the Northern New Mexico Workforce Connections and under the direction of the Northern Area Local Workforce Development Board.
HELP NM brings comprehensive youth services that focus on assisting out-of-school youth and in-school youth, with one or more barriers to employment, prepare for employment and postsecondary education opportunities; attain educational and/or skills training credentials; and secure employment with career/promotional opportunities.
New Mexico Tech-Mechanical Engineering Department
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
Join is for a live tour of the robotics and flight labs at New Mexico Tech. This session will include discussions with students involved in designing and building robotics and drone projects at NMT. Attendees will also receive an overview of the NMT-MESA Robotics Programs. Our college sessions will highlight STEM opportunities at our partner institutions and will give you important admissions information. Different from a recruitment session, this session will highlight what makes this university unique and appealing to our MESA students.
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions- Interview Skills to Pay the Bills
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
The most important step to landing a job is being prepared for your interviews. By doing some preparation you will feel more in control and will appear cool, calm, and collected-qualities always looked for in the perfect candidate. Learn tips for interviewing success and how to be ready for your next interview!
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions-Why I Work?
Time: 6:00-7:15 PM
Join us for this special evening family session. “Why I Work” is an online budget tool that shows you how much money you need to make to afford the things you want and need. Whether you are looking for a new job, making long-term career choices, or both, knowing how much money you need to earn is very important in making employment and career decisions that are right for you. This session will also cover career interests and values. Interests are something that excites your curiosity or attention-values are your personal principles. Identifying both your interests and your values can help you decide what kinds of jobs and careers you might want to explore.
Wednesday, December 1, 2021:
New Mexico State University-College of Engineering
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
Join is for this virtual college experience as we explore the 13 undergraduate degree programs within the College of Engineering. This session will also review resources from the College of Engineering and career pathway opportunities. Our college sessions will highlight STEM opportunities at our partner institutions and will give you important admissions information. Different from a recruitment session, this session will highlight what makes this university unique and appealing to our MESA students.
New Mexico Public Education Department-Career Exploration! Using the NM PED Career Clusters Guide
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
This presentation will provide guidance to students on the value and structure of career exploration. The New Mexico Career Clusters Guide will be described as a primary tool for student use in exploring the world of careers based upon their curiosity and interests. Students will also receive basic career guidance perspectives to consider as they continue to advance through their education. Guide found here: https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/State-NM-CCGB-2020.pdf
New Mexico Highlands university-ARMAS and the College of Arts & Sciences
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
Join is for this virtual college experience as we tour and see demonstrations from our science departments. Meet with students, faculty, and our college and admissions team. Learn about what makes New Mexico Highlands the perfect university for you. ARMAS is a tutoring and self-study center which focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The ARMAS community is composed of intellects striving towards prestigious goals in STEM related fields. Our college sessions will highlight STEM opportunities at our partner institutions and will give you important admissions information. Different from a recruitment session, this session will highlight what makes this university unique and appealing to our MESA students.
Rocky Mountain Association for College Admission Counseling-Paying for College
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
College and secondary education can be expensive, and finances can be a barrier to higher education. This session will highlight some key programs and tips on how to finance your education and work through the challenges of paying for college. Learn about reciprocal tuition programs, Native American tuition waivers, the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program, scholarships, and more.
NM MESA College Fair via Gather
Time: 6:00-7:15 PM
Join us for this special evening family session. This virtual college fair experience will allow you to meet with some of our many partner institutions. Admissions and department staff and faculty will be available to answer any questions you may have on many degree programs. Explore the many universities and programs that we have in our state and visit with institutions you may never have had the opportunity to. Attendees may come and go during the session but must complete a scavenger hunt challenge for attendance verification. For a full list of attending institutions, see below.
This session will be held in a different virtual chat platform, Gather.Town. This platform is best done on a PC and tablets/phones are not optimized for this experience. Attendees will have the ability to move around and interact with other participant and items in the created Metaverse. Combine virtual interaction in our custom 2-D world. Space in this virtual world is limited and (1) PC connection per family is recommended. More information will be sent to registrants. Do not miss out!
College Fair Presenters:
Central New Mexico Community College Admissions and Recruitment (T)
Eastern New Mexico University Enrollment Services
Luna Community College Department of Allied Health
Navajo Technical University (T)
New Mexico Highlands University Admissions and Recruitment
New Mexico Highlands University ARMAS and STEM Programs
New Mexico State University Admissions and Recruitment
New Mexico State University College of Arts and Sciences
New Mexico State University College of Engineering
New Mexico Tech Admissions and Recruitment
Northern New Mexico College Admissions and Recruitment
Santa Fe Community College (T)
University of New Mexico Admissions and Recruitment (T)
University of New Mexico College of Engineering
Western New Mexico University Admissions and Recruitment
Thursday, December 2, 2021:
Western New Mexico University
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
Join us for this virtual college experience. Navigate WNMU through a fun and interactive gaming experience. Our college sessions will highlight STEM opportunities at our partner institutions and will give you important admissions information. Different from a recruitment session, this session will highlight what makes this university unique and appealing to our MESA students.
UNM African American Student Services-Tools to Navigate Through College
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
Attendees will learn about valuable skills and resources. This session will review time management skills, what resources you should look for on a college campus, and how you can build your academic resume. African American Student Services at UNM is one of many programs committed to providing a diverse campus culture by appreciating and creating space for multi-cultural students to thrive. This department provides educational discourse, leadership development, holistic wellness, and community engagement. Information presented can be helpful no matter where you choose to go to college.
ACT Education-Preparing for College and Career Readiness with the ACT
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
How do standardized tests fit into college admission? What are some ACT resources that are available for you? What are the benefits to taking the ACT exam? The ACT offers a college admissions test, college course placement, and a career planning component. Come and find out this information and more direct from ACT Education.
Eastern New Mexico University
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
Our college sessions will highlight STEM opportunities at our partner institutions and will give you important admissions information. Join Eastern’s professors to learn more about the opportunities that Eastern can give you in the STEM field, and take a sneak peek at our labs. During this session, a $500 scholarship will be raffled to participants for attendance at Eastern. Do not miss out!
New Mexico Public Education Department-Work Based Learning: The ABC’s of WBL
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
This presentation will provide an overview of work-based learning and a description of current NM-PED initiatives that offer hands-on learning experiences that support career exploration with paid internship opportunities. Students will also receive basic career guidance perspectives to consider as they continue to advance through their education.
New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation-FAFSA Fundamentals
Time: 6:00-7:15 PM
Join us for this special evening family session. This session will provide an overview of the financial aid application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that reviews federal aid programs and eligibility, when and how to complete the FAFSA, determining FAFSA dependency status, your electronic pin, what is an EFC, and more. Come get your questions answered and learn how to complete this important document that is essential for college access.
Friday, December 3, 2021:
University of New Mexico-College of Engineering
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
Join is for this virtual college experience as we explore the different programs and facilities available within the College of Engineering. Our college sessions will highlight STEM opportunities at our partner institutions and will give you important admissions information. Different from a recruitment session, this session will highlight what makes this university unique and appealing to our MESA students.
ENLACE-College Planning & Strategies for Academic Success
Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
Join us to learn different strategies for academic success and how that helps with planning for college. The ENLACE Statewide Collaborative focuses on student access and success, family and community engagement, leadership and professional development, and policy development. We provide coaching, mentoring, and tutoring services at elementary, middle, and high schools. ENLACE New Mexico is driven by a network of transformational leaders and programs as diverse as the state it serves. We empower communities and families to transform New Mexico’s educational system.
New Mexico Workforce Connection-Digital Footprint
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
What is a digital footprint? What is the impact of your digital footprint on future educational and employment opportunities? In this age of the internet, digital interaction and social media is unavoidable. This session will encourage students to see what they do in the digital world in translatable to their activities in the physical world. Internet safety and privacy are critical in today’s world for students. Learn what makes you a good digital citizen and why it is important.
Nusenda Credit Union-Financing Your Dreams
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
As a young person, you have exciting dreams and goals for your future. You might be considering college, purchasing a car or moving out on your own. All dreams take planning and budgeting. What can you do right now to help you budget for your future? Join Nusenda Credit Union for an interactive presentation where you will explore easy ways to save money, find funding for college and dream BIG.
The Princeton Review-Understanding and Preparing for the SAT
Time: 6:00-7:15 PM
Join us for this special highlight session on the SAT Exam. As of Spring 2020, New Mexico high school students are required to take the SAT as it is the official standardized test for high school juniors. The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test created and administered by the College Board. The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student’s readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. How important SAT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school.
The Princeton Review provides tutoring, test preparation, and admission products and services to help students achieve their academic goals. Join this workshop to understand the basics of this important exam, learn tips for success, and be provided resources that can help you succeed.
