JA Inspire gave middle schoolers one of the greatest gifts of all: career inspiration

Author: Denise Sawyer
Work Readiness
Published: Friday, 15 Dec 2023

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As students engaged with various exhibitors, they gained insights into professions they may not have considered before.

Image caption: Erica Eggerman of Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience was captured giving an eye-opening career experience.

(PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.)- Students at Howell L. Watkins Middle School unwrapped their excitement as they received an early holiday gift – the gift of inspiration! On Wednesday, December 13, students eagerly participated in the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation’s JA Inspire program presented by Wells Fargo, an interactive career exploration experience that opened their eyes to a world of possibilities.

The JA Inspire event, a collaborative effort between the school and local vendors, aimed to enlighten middle school students about the array of career options available right in their own community. As students engaged with various exhibitors, they gained insights into professions they may not have considered before.

"JA Inspire showed me a whole bunch of career choices," expressed Timothy Wingate, one of the enthusiastic students who found the event eye-opening. Another student, Dylan Prieto, echoed similar sentiments, stating, "JA Inspire showed me new careers that I did not know."

Image caption: The Assistant Principal of Howell L. Watkins Middle School, Larry Harris, highlighted the significance of JA Inspire in shaping students' perspectives on their future paths.

The Assistant Principal of Howell L. Watkins Middle School, Larry Harris, highlighted the significance of JA Inspire in shaping students' perspectives on their future paths. "JA Inspire goes beyond traditional career exploration. It ignites curiosity and broadens the horizons of our students, showcasing the multitude of possibilities awaiting them."

During the JA Inspire in-person expo, students rotated around the gymnasium and interacted with the exhibitors. They arrived in groups and had about 15 minutes in the gymnasium. The room was divided into four corners based on the four work competencies: creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Each organization was assigned a competency upon their arrival. Students had a JA Inspire Passport that the exhibitor stamped after they visited the corresponding organization/competency. With this format, it was anticipated that students spent approximately 3 minutes at each table.

By connecting students with potential career paths early on, JA Inspire aims to contribute to the community's growth by nurturing well-rounded and productive future citizens. Larry Harris emphasized the school's hope that students inspired by the event will choose to work and live back in the local community, fostering its continued development.

“JA Inspire is a tremendous partnership that was part of my vision when I came here, because I really wanted my students to have the opportunity to see other careers and things outside of their neighborhood or their environment," said Dr. Presley Charles, Principal. "It’s tremendous for them, because now they can actually make the connection as to why math is important. It helps bring the relevance to that. All of these jobs bring education together with careers and let the kids have an opportunity to say, ‘You know what? I can shoot for that, and that’s what I want to do when I grow up.’”

Image caption: Look at JA staff who participated in the event.

Participating Exhibitors:

AppleOne
Centennial Bank
Citizens Bank
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
First Horizon
Levan Center Cyber Range
Lockheed Martin
Loxahatchee Groves Town Councilman & Equestrian Boarding stable owner, Mayor Laura Danowski
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue
Palm Beach Gardens Police Department
Palm Beach State College
Palm Beach County School District (Adult Education)
The Breakers

Looking ahead, the success of JA Inspire at Howell L. Watkins Middle School sets the stage for inspiring many more local Palm Beach County students in the upcoming spring sessions. As the holiday season unfolds, the gift of inspiration bestowed upon these students is sure to resonate as they embark on their journeys toward future success and fulfillment.

About Junior Achievement:

Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a range of programs focused on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship, JA empowers students to make informed, intelligent decisions about their future, and fosters skills that will be crucial for success in the 21st-century workforce.