January is National JA Alumni Month

Author: Makenzie Morris
Work Readiness
Published: Thursday, 09 Jan 2025

Sharing

Image caption: Anna Possehl, Quad Cities Chamber

"JA was truly an amazing experience that I think every kid should get to enjoy. As a young professional, I look back at that time I had at JA constantly and think about my time there. I still remember “interviewing” for a job at JA BizTown and working in the factory! I remember that day vividly, in fact, every time I have had to interview for something, I always think back to that day. Although I was young at the time, giving me that experience of an interview along with learning personal finance are two key things that I am grateful to have been taught at that age. I also think JA taught me how to work as a team in a work setting. Communicating with your classmates and making sure you all worked together to make the “town” successful was also a huge learning opportunity. All in all, JA teaches kids both hard and soft skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. I was beyond impressed with the new BizTown and the opportunities kids have there now. Seeing the kids there with the same grins that my classmates and I had while we were there shows that JA still to this day continues to do great things."