The Student Tourism Exploration Program (S.T.E.P.) gives Mesa high school students a firsthand look at the people, places and careers powering the visitor economy.
Learning beyond the classroom
Once a month during the school year, S.T.E.P. students spend a morning inside a working tourism business or destination in the Mesa area. Hotels, ballparks, museums, farms and transportation hubs become the classroom.
Students meet the people who run each place, explore careers they may not have encountered at school and build communication, workplace and networking skills they can take into any career.
2026-27 program year
Each session introduces students to a different part of Mesa's visitor economy. Final dates, arrival instructions and other logistics are shared directly with participating students and families through their school's CTE career coach.
Students meet their cohort, practice introductions and learn the professional and communication skills that will help them make the most of each experience throughout the year.
Students go behind the scenes of Mesa's hospitality industry to see how sales, catering, event services, guest experience and hotel operations work together.
At Agritopia, students explore how farming, food, retail, events and placemaking come together to create a destination experience.
Explore the Fresh Foodie Trail®
Students learn what it takes to prepare for Chicago Cubs Spring Training and welcome thousands of fans to Mesa.
Explore Sloan Park
Students explore how museums, creative programming, education, events and guest service help bring a cultural district to life.
Explore the i.d.e.a. Museum
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport introduces students to the people, careers and systems that keep travelers moving, followed by a celebration of the S.T.E.P. year and a look at what's next.
Program note: Hosts and program details may change. Confirmed dates, locations and arrival information are shared directly with participating students and families through their school's CTE career coach.
Students + families
S.T.E.P. brings together juniors and seniors from Mesa Public Schools who are interested in exploring careers, meeting local professionals and experiencing workplaces they might not otherwise get to see.
Participation is coordinated through each school's Career and Technical Education team and CTE career coach. Families receive confirmed session information and program logistics directly through their student's school.
Students, parents, educators and community partners can use the form below to connect with the S.T.E.P. team at Visit Mesa.
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