Spark - Career Mentorships

Spark's "Workplace-Based" Mentorship program matches 7th & 8th grade students with mentors based on shared skills and interests. Mentors partner with students to explore careers and build skills while completing an interest-driven career project with guidance from Spark’s curriculum and staff.

Mentorship programming will occur both in-person and virtually (via Google Meet) from Mid-March - early June. Mentors are expected to attend at least one in-person field trip a month, but are highly encouraged to attend as many as possible. Spark Mentorship field trips will explore different vocations, skills, and networking opportunities at various locations throughout the city.

We are committed to creating opportunities specifically designed for students in the middle grades – opportunities that forge the gap between what they are learning in the classroom and what they dream to accomplish later in life. We recognize the middle school years as a critical time of development for exploration, inspiration, and learning to help students stay connected to and fuel their dreams.

Mentors must complete Spark led training and background clearance per Chicago Public Schools guidelines.