“It’s My Future” Junior Achievement Program Prepares Ninth Graders

JAMESTOWN –  Ninth graders at Jamestown Public Schools recently partook in Junior Achievement’s “It’s My Future” program, preparing for future careers.
Volunteers with Junior Achievement conduct a five-lesson unit on career preparation and readiness.
“The JA volunteers come in to do their lessons with ninth graders from September to January,” said JHS Principal Mike McElrath. “Our intention is to have this information delivered to our ninth graders prior to February, when those student make their academy choice. We appreciate the volunteers who take the time to teach our students such valuable skills.”
School officals said that Junior Achievement Community Volunteers visit JHS once a month to work with students. This is the third year of the program at Jamestown High School.
Junior Achievement’s “It’s Your Future” program teaches students to develop the personal branding and job-hunting skills needed to earn a job, research potential careers, create a basic resume, recognize appropriate behaviors for an interview and differentiate between soft and technical skills. Volunteers also talk about potential career paths and high-growth careers.
A special thank you to the community volunteers who are participating in the JHS program: Andrew Hill, Danni Hannon and Noel Blackhall (Media One), Brett Muchek, Ruth Lundin, Candace White (Southern Chautauqua County Federal Credit Union), Corrine Case (Jamestown Community College), Rebekah Conti (SUNY Fredonia), Jason Stronz (Courier Capital), Justin Hanft (Education Coalition), Leah Weinberg (Weinberg Financial), Tim Smeal (Jamestown Community College), Mike Baker (Deppas Insurance), Terri Johnson (The Resource Center), John Kinder (Liberty Partnership Program-JCC) and Kim Lees (Monofrax).
Junior Achievement of WNY reaches 15,751 students and 161 schools. In Chautauqua County, Junior Achievement works with nine schools: Jamestown High School, Ring Elementary School, Bush Elementary School, Sherman Schools, Frewsburg Elementary School, Falconer Jr. High School, Temple Primary School, Fenner Elementary School and P-Tech in Dunkirk.