ASHLAND — Career pathways around the area will be on display for more than 1,000 middle and high school students on May 13.
Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio will host Destination Career Ashland County featuring JA Inspire in partnership with the North Central Workforce Alliance at Ashland University’s Niss Athletic Center.
This dynamic career exploration event will bring together more than 1,000 middle and high school students and over 45 local businesses to inspire and prepare the next generation of the workforce.
The vision for this program is to showcase all of the amazing career pathways in our local community while helping young people discover their passion in life so that we can retain local talent and grow our workforce. At Destination Career, students will explore by doing.
Walking through the event you will see young people using virtual reality career simulations, intubating a dummy, running obstacle courses, trying out flight simulators and exploring countless other jobs through similar hands-on activities.
In addition to the companies showcasing their career pathways, Junior Achievement has developed multiple career exploration stations that showcase how to dress for an interview, the proper handshake, how to hold a conversation, a resume race, team building activities and more.
“JA Inspire is not just an event; it’s a movement to equip our youth with the tools and confidence to take charge of their futures,” said Josh Lehman, president at Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio. “We encourage businesses to partner with us in making a lasting impact on these students’ lives.”
The event will kick off at 8:30 a.m. and promises a day filled with hands-on learning,
engaging activities and invaluable networking opportunities for students and businesses alike.
Businesses interested in participating will have the opportunity to:
- Make a difference: Engage with 1,000-plus students, introducing them to career opportunities in your field and inspiring their futures.
- Build connections: Network with other leading businesses and organizations dedicated to workforce development.
- Showcase your industry: Highlight the exciting opportunities and innovations within your company to the next generation of professionals.
Program highlights:
- Pre-event career preparation: Participating students will engage in career-focused sessions, providing them with foundational knowledge about various industries and the skills needed to succeed.
- Interactive career fair: The centerpiece of JA Inspire, this event offers students a unique opportunity to interact with professionals from over 100 local businesses and explore potential career opportunities.
- Post-event reflection: Students will have the chance to reflect on their experiences, solidifying their learning and helping them plan their next steps.
For more information or to confirm participation, please contact Holly Dawson at holly.dawson@ja.org or click here.
Join us in empowering the next generation and highlighting the incredible opportunities within Ashland County and beyond.
About Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio
Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. With a focus on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship, Junior Achievement programs empower students to make informed decisions about their future and shape a successful career path.