Middle School Students Explore Future Pathways with One Bead

In the 2025–2026 school year, Equitable School Partnerships of Boston (ESP) introduced a new partner to the Hurley School community: One Bead, a nonprofit organization that engages middle school students in conversations about their futures.

One Bead helps students explore their interests, think about high school, and consider pathways to success. Their mission closely aligns with ESP’s commitment to creating more equitable opportunities for Boston students.

Throughout this academic year, One Bead has been working with Hurley School 7th and 8th graders through a series of guest speakers and interactive sessions. Students have had the opportunity to interview professionals from a variety of fields and learn about different career paths firsthand. The speakers are selected based on students’ interests, ensuring the conversations are meaningful and relevant.

Reynaldo Benzan-Martinez, Senior Program Director at One Bead, noted that Hurley students have been eager to explore different possibilities. “Students are interested and curious about what is out there to explore, and every interview or leader that has been brought into the classroom has been asked for by a student.” For example, when a student shared their goal of attending Boston Arts Academy, One Bead invited a professional artist to speak with the class about careers in the arts and answer students’ questions. Students engaged deeply in the conversation, asking thoughtful questions and learning about different career paths.

Another highlight of the partnership was a recent field trip to a major Boston law firm located in the John Hancock Tower. Benzan-Martinez shared that the visit made a lasting impression on students.

“The field trip was a huge success. Students not only got to interview two lawyers, but more importantly visit and be invited into a building they would normally pass by and not know what it was. When students arrived, they were greeted with custom name tags and temporary ID badges to enter the building. The shock and excitement on their faces added to the feeling of being invited into the space and lessened the overwhelming feeling of how big and professional the visit was.  Students left the field trip with a great example of what it would be like to work in a law firm and what skills it takes to be successful.”

ESP deeply values the opportunities and perspective One Bead brings to the Hurley School community. The partnership reflects ESP’s thoughtful approach to identifying partners who meet the needs of the school community and create meaningful opportunities for students to explore their interests and imagine their futures. Experiences like these help students see new possibilities and begin to picture themselves in spaces and careers they may not have previously considered.