*Goodwill VISTA* Career Pathways Program Development VISTA

Cooperative Middle School (CMS), located in Stratham, NH, is committed to continuous improvement and strategic planning with a focus on engaging all students in meaningful learning. Recognizing that early exposure to career pathways can positively shape student aspirations, CMS is developing a new after-school program in partnership with the Seacoast School of Technology. This initiative will provide middle school students with opportunities to explore fields such as construction technology, welding, health sciences, and veterinary sciences, helping students connect school engagement with long-term career success.

Evidence shows that structured, early career exploration activities foster persistence and aspirations (Whiston et al., 2017; Lapan, 2004), develop valuable employability skills (Super, 1990; Solberg et al., 2012), and are correlated with greater economic mobility in adulthood (Carnevale et al., 2013; Symonds et al., 2011). The VISTA member will build organizational capacity by creating the systems, processes, and templates necessary for CMS to sustain and expand the program after the completion of service.