The Developing Youth Leaders Academy will offer separate trades and office-professional tracks Oct. 5-9 for students ages 14-18

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - Las Cruces is inviting teens to spend part of fall break exploring careers in city government through its 2026 Developing Youth Leaders Academy.

The program is open to students ages 14-18 and will run Oct. 5-9, with two separate pathways: a City Trades Career Path in the mornings and an Office & Professional Path in the afternoons.

Teens may participate in either track or both.

The registration deadline is Oct. 2.

City Trades Career Path

The trades track runs from 8:15 a.m. to noon each day. Participants will meet in the Las Cruces City Hall lobby, 700 N. Main St.

Daily sessions will focus on:

Monday, Oct. 5
Parks and Recreation Department trades

Tuesday, Oct. 6
Public Works Department trades

Wednesday, Oct. 7
Fleet and Transit Department trades

Thursday, Oct. 8
Utilities Department trades

Friday, Oct. 9
Facilities Section trades

Office & Professional Path

The office-professional track runs from 1 to 4:30 p.m. each day, also beginning at City Hall.

Daily sessions will include:

Monday, Oct. 5
Economic Development — business foundations and entrepreneurship

Tuesday, Oct. 6
Community Development — permitting and planning

Wednesday, Oct. 7
Financial Services — finance, banking and money skills

Thursday, Oct. 8
Human Resources — resumes, mock interviews and workplace expectations

Friday, Oct. 9
Communications — social media, branding and advertising

The city says the academy is designed to help teens build leadership skills, explore civic careers and learn more about the work performed by Las Cruces employees.

Registration is available at LasCruces.gov/DevelopingYouthLeaders.

For information, contact Catrina Godinez at 575-528-3003, TTY 711, or CGodinez@LasCruces.gov.