Junior Achievement Announces JA Inspire, a New Career Exploration Program for 8th Grade Students in Miami-Dade County

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

October 8, 2019

Junior Achievement Announces JA Inspire, a New Career Exploration Program for 8^th Grade Students in Miami-Dade County

Miami, FL – Junior Achievement of Greater Miami (JA), in coordination with the M-DCPS Division of Academics, Department of Social Sciences and the Department of Career and Technical Education, will welcome over 4,000 8^th grade students to the Miami Airport Convention Center (MACC) on November 19^th as part of a new career exploration program called JA Inspire. This capstone event allows students to explore in an experiential, hands-on learning manner, various career opportunities in South Florida’s high-wage, high-demand industries.

“JA Inspire will open students’ eyes to various career and education opportunities right here in South Florida.” says Catherine Haga, president of Junior Achievement of Greater Miami, Inc. “This is our first year running this program and we already have over 4,000 students registered for both the in-class program and capstone Career Expo. Our goal is to eventually reach all 25,000 8^th graders enrolled in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.”

Prior to attending the hands-on JA Inspire Career Expo, students will complete three in-class sessions where they will take a personality assessment to see what jobs align with their interests, research those jobs, and learn what skills and educational requirements are needed to obtain and be successful in those jobs. At the JA Inspire Career Expo, students will have the opportunity to speak directly with mentors who work in these industries and will share their career advice with students. Additionally, each exhibitor at the Career Expo will provide a hands-on activity for students to be able to “step into the shoes” of their employees.

To learn more about JA Inspire, please visit www.jamiami.org, click "Programs", then "JA Inspire".

About Junior Achievement of Greater Miami, Inc.

Junior Achievement was founded nationally in 1919 and locally in 1957 and provides young people in South Florida with practical economic education programs and experiences in a competitive free enterprise system and prepares them to become productive, responsible members of society. By bringing business people to volunteer in the classrooms, Junior Achievement helps today’s students learn from individuals who can relate economic theory to their lives, who care enough to listen to them, and who can provide real-life examples of how obstacles can be overcome and success achieved. This learning experience establishes the foundation upon which students can acquire skills and aptitudes necessary to succeed in today’s global economy. For more information about Junior Achievement of Greater Miami, please visit www.jamiami.org.

About Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement (JA) is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. JA reaches 4.6 million students per year in 112 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.6 million students served by operations in 121 other countries worldwide. For more information about Junior Achievement, visit www.juniorachievement.org.