JA Tampa Bay held their third JA Inspire Career Expo in an event that exposes middle school students to a variety of professions, careers and industries
Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay held their third JA Inspire Career Expo this week, introducing hundreds of young students to new career opportunities and pathways. The all-day event, held at Pinellas Technical College, is a community effort of Junior Achievement, Pinellas County Schools, local businesses, and educators to help shape students’ positive attitudes about their academic or professional futures.
Over 700 middle school students from Dunedin Highland Middle School, Tarpon Springs Middle School, Clearwater Intermediate School, and Lealman Innovation Academy attended the event, while volunteer coordinators were instrumental in the programming and management.
One student said, “I enjoyed learning about health, business, trades and other career fields from experts.”
JA Inspire Career Expo gave almost 60 companies, businesses, education institutions, and organizations the opportunity to reach out to middle school students, forming a future pipeline of potential talent. Research suggests that middle school grades are a crucial time to engage, or reengage students and put them on a path to college and career success and readiness.
“Thank you Junior Achievement for hosting the event,” said one company representative, “It’s refreshing to see young minds so eager to learn and tap into potential opportunities. I very much enjoyed the event and hope to make it out with our team next year.”
Junior Achievement and the Pinellas County School District would like to expand the event to cover all 6,000 6th grade students in Pinellas County schools over the next 3 years. If you would like to know more about the event, get involved as a volunteer, or showcase your company to the next generation of the Tampa Bay workforce; contact kym.mcgee@ja.org
