What We Do

We partner with Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) to offer a wide range of career and postsecondary planning guidance and resources for 18,000 high school students each year.  

Through physical centers embedded in over 25 MPS and SPPS high schools and additional virtual services, we create a supportive landing space for students and families to connect with expert guidance, resources and opportunities in their path to self-discovery.

As the sole universal career and college readiness provider in both school districts, Achieve services are open to all students for discovering, exploring and planning for life after high school.

Step Up connects Minneapolis youth (ages 14-21) with paid internships, career exploration, professional mentors and training that can help build careers and lead to a diverse, skilled and equitable workforce. In partnership with over 200 employers in 15 industries, Step Up has created over 30,000 high-quality internship opportunities since 2003.

Step Up helps young people discover new careers, make professional connections and develop their resumes. For employers, Step Up helps diversify their workforce and build a strong base of young, skilled talent that can keep our future regional economy and our communities strong and vibrant. 

Step Up is a partnership of Achieve Twin Cities, the City of Minneapolis, CareerForce Minneapolis and Project for Pride in Living.

Achieve College Internships provides high-quality paid summer internships, training, professional mentors and networks for college juniors at local companies and organizations. The program is designed to help young professionals launch their careers in the Twin Cities and provide opportunities for employers to discover and support new talent.

In partnership with the Minnesota Private College Fund, we provide a direct line to talented and diverse college students who are motivated, committed to Minnesota and on an established leadership trajectory.

Bringing rich professional, academic and personal experience to their internships, participants include alums of the Step Up Youth Employment Program and African American male scholars from Minnesota Private College Fund scholarship and leadership programs.

Based on the TEDTalks model, EDTalks raises public awareness of critical topics and strengthens community engagement and advocacy with and on behalf of our young people. It also provides a platform for creative leaders to showcase innovative ideas, share successes in their work, gain insight and feedback from colleagues, connect with community audiences and identify growth opportunities.

Achieve co-hosts the annual Principal Partner Day with Minneapolis Public Schools, which matches community leaders with principals for a half-day shadowing opportunity. We also invite community members to visit our school centers for Achieve 101 events, and host thought leader gatherings focused on key issues impacting our young people.