PATHWAYS TO THE STARS
PATHWAYS TO THE STARS CONNECTS NEW MEXICANS TO SPACE AND HIGH-TECH CAREERS THROUGH THREE ENTRY POINTS.
EACH POWERED BY FIVE CORE ACTIVITIES:
Early Exposure
Early access to the opportunities in space with earning
Training
Early access to the opportunities in space with earning
Professional Development
Early access to the opportunities in space with earning
Quality Education
Early access to the opportunities in space with earning
Partnership
Early access to the opportunities in space with earning
Three Gateways
Discovery Gateway
Explore what’s possible through hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and belonging.
Powered by:
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Early Exposure
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Quality Education
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Partnerships
✦ Explore More
Awareness • Inspiration • Identity-Building
Low barrier, curiosity-driven entry points
Programs & Activities
- National Space Day
- Intern Day
- Atomic 66/Space Fiesta
- Gateway Scholars Community Activities
- Higher Orbits Go-For-Launch!
- Albuquerque Public Schools Genius Day
- Spaceport America Open House
- Rio Grande Research SLAM
Primary Outcomes:
- Increased STEM awareness
- Career identity formation
- First-time engagement with space, tech, and manufacturing
- Educator and family buy-in
Skills Gateway
Build practical, job-ready skills through paid, employer-aligned training and real tools.
Powered by:
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Training
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Quality Education
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Partnerships
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Hands-On Learning • Paid Training • Skill Validation
Where interest turns into capability
Programs & Activities
- Pathways to the Stars™ Semiconductor Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship
- Employer-aligned bootcamps and short-term training cohorts
- Higher Orbits Go-For-Launch!
- Lab-based training at Launchpad
- Employer-informed curriculum pilots
- Paid experiential learning and stipend training models
Primary Outcomes:
- Job-ready technical and professional skills
- Resume-validated experience
- Reduced financial barriers to training
- Employer confidence in talent readiness
Opportunity Gateway
Turn skills into outcomes through internships, jobs, mentorship, and startup support.
Powered by:
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Professional Development
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Partnerships
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Training
✦ Explore More
Employment • Internships • Entrepreneurship
Turning skills into real economic outcomes
Programs & Activities
- Internship placement and coordination
- Apprenticeship connections and employer hiring pipelines
- Employer matchmaking and cohort hiring
- Industry, government, and lab partner connections
Talent referral and placement support
Primary Outcomes:
- Job placement and retention
- Apprenticeship entry
- Startup formation and scale
- Wage progression and long-term career mobility
FIND YOUR GATEWAY
Enter into any gateway | Gain momentum with support | Move into real career outcomes
empowering new mexico’s youth to shape the future of aerospace
Pathways to the Stars will grow the space industry talent pipeline with programming, mentoring, experiential learning and career connection services spanning K-12 to early career, with industry involvement and special attention given to reaching minority populations. Multiple educational partners will provide learning and curriculum, and connection services will connect students to jobs and careers. We invite you to participate and inspire students to become part of the space workforce of the future!
READ ARTICLE HERE
FOUNDED IN RESEARCH | BACKED BY DATA
READ OUR COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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NM Labor Market Analysis
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Industry Survey
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STEM Ecosystem Map