Our Blog
JA’s Outcomes-Based Strategic Blueprint
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
At Junior Achievement, we believe every student deserves a future filled with choices and opportunities. That belief is the foundation of JA’s outcomes-based strategic blueprint; a clear, intentional approach to education that starts not with programs, but with the outcomes that matter most for students’ long-term...
Preparing Students for What’s Next: Key Insights from a Recent JA Alumni Survey
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
Our recent survey of Gen Z and Millennial JA alumni demonstrate and reflects the tangible ways JA is helping students prepare...
Education for What’s Next: Powering Economic Mobility
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
What’s next? It’s the question on everyone’s mind. Technologies we’ve never seen before are reshaping the world in ways we never imagined. Jobs people rely on today may not exist...
The ROI of Investing in Youth: Why Economic Mobility is a Community Imperative
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
When we talk about “return on investment,” our minds often jump to balance sheets, bottom lines, and quarterly reports. But what if the greatest ROI isn’t financial in the short term but social, economic, and generational in the long...
Accelerating Opportunity: How JASWNE is Shaping Connecticut’s Future Workforce
By Junior Achievement of Southwest New England
Corporate Responsibility
When FOX61 highlighted Junior Achievement of Southwest New England in a recent news segment, President & CEO Jeremy Race shared how JA is accelerating economic opportunity and mobility for Connecticut youth. The segment displayed how JA connects students with real-world experiences, giving them the skills, confidence, and inspiration to dream bigger and prepare for success in school, careers, and...
Gen Z's Career Confidence vs. Future Challenges: What Today’s Teens Really Think About Work, AI, and Education
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Work Readiness
As American teens stand on the brink of adulthood, they're navigating a rapidly changing world — one shaped by artificial intelligence, shifting views on higher education, and increasing financial pressure. But according to new research from Junior Achievement USA and Citizens, despite these mounting challenges, today’s teens are still remarkably optimistic about the...
Students Are Asking: “Why Are We Learning This?”— And That’s a Good Thing
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
If you've spent time in a classroom recently, you've probably heard a student ask:
“Why are we learning this?”
At first, it might sound like defiance or disinterest. But in reality, it’s one of the most important questions a student can ask—because it signals a desire for meaning, relevance, and connection. And in today’s world, those elements are essential to authentic learning.
The good...
Celebrating Student Success at the Annual JA June Board Meeting
By Junior Achievement of Southwest New England
Corporate Responsibility
On June 17, Junior Achievement of Southwest New England (JASWNE) concluded a remarkable fiscal year with its Annual Board Meeting, celebrating student success, recognizing board leadership, and shining a special spotlight on our 2025 Scholarship...
Investing in Tomorrow: JA's National Financial Awareness Day Panel
By Junior Achievement of Southwest New England
Corporate Responsibility
On August 14, Junior Achievement of Southwest New England and the Connecticut Office of the Treasurer co-hosted a special National Financial Awareness Day Panel, bringing together state leaders, educators, and students for a meaningful conversation on the importance of financial literacy in shaping Connecticut’s...
2024–2025 at JASWNE: A Year of Growth and Impact
By Junior Achievement of Southwest New England
Corporate Responsibility
The 2024–2025 year was extraordinary for Junior Achievement of Southwest New England. With the combined efforts of educators, volunteers, and partners, tens of thousands of students gained real-world skills in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career...