JAG-NM Youth Shine at the 2026 Career Development Conference

Jobs for America’s Graduates – New Mexico (JAG-NM) proudly welcomed youth from across the state to the 2026 Career Development Conference (CDC) for a day centered on leadership, competition, career exploration, and connection.

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ABOUT CDC

The Career Development Conference is one of JAG-NM’s signature annual events, bringing students and participants together to demonstrate the skills they have been building through the program. From communication and teamwork to professionalism and problem-solving, CDC gives young people the opportunity to apply what they have learned in a real-world setting while connecting with peers, educators, employers, and community leaders from across New Mexico.

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HONORED GUESTS

This year’s conference was also honored to welcome Senator Shannon Pinto and Senator Harold Pope Jr., who spoke with youth and shared words of encouragement as they continue building their futures.

Their presence reinforced the importance of investing in young people and recognizing their potential as leaders in their schools, workplaces, and communities.

CAREER FAIR

In addition to competitions and leadership activities, youth had the opportunity to connect directly with employers and partners. Businesses from a range of industries helped make the day meaningful by engaging with youth through career conversations, mock interviews, and even real job interviews.

These experiences gave students and participants the chance to practice professional communication, build confidence, and better understand what readiness for employment looks like in action.

YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LEADERS TOO

A key part of the conference was also the election and recognition of youth leadership through the New Mexico Career Association. Delegates selected at CDC will have the opportunity to vote on behalf of the New Mexico Career Association at National Career Association meetings, helping ensure youth voice from New Mexico is represented at the national level.

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THANK YOU

The 2026 Career Development Conference reflected the strength, talent, and potential of JAG-NM youth across the state. We are grateful to the employers, volunteers, legislators, staff, and partners who helped make the event possible, and we celebrate every student and participant who showed up ready to learn, lead, compete, and grow.

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THE CDC IMPACT

220 youth from seven JAG-NM programs participated, representing Cibola, Del Norte, two Rio Grande programs, Zuni, OOS Albuquerque, and OOS Roswell. CDC also marked an important milestone for JAG-NM: it was the first year of our Out-of-School program and the first year OOS participants competed at the state level.

Our young people connected with a ton of employers and community partners through the career fair, mock interviews, workshops, and judging experiences supported by 80 volunteers.

Employer conversations led to our JAG youth interviewing for internships, summer work, part-time jobs, and follow-up career exploration opportunities. CDC was also a chance to practice professional communication, receive feedback, and build confidence before graduation, employment, or national competition.

Rio Grande High School had a strong showing across this year’s competitions, especially among students from Allan Moore’s junior and senior JAG program. Many of these students began building their skills in JAG last year and returned this year ready to compete, lead, and represent their program.

CDC is one of the clearest examples of how JAG-NM turns learning into experience. Young people are not only studying career readiness - they are practicing it, presenting it, receiving feedback, and applying it in ways they can carry into school, work, and community life.