Our Blog
Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders: Junior Achievement and Staples Expand Partnership
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
Preparing students for the future of work takes more than classroom instruction—it takes collaboration between educators, communities, and the business leaders shaping tomorrow’s workforce. That’s why Junior Achievement USA is proud to expand its partnership with Staples to help more students across the country gain access to career-connected learning...
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...
Students compete and win at Junior Achievement’s 20th annual Stock Market Challenge
By JAWM
Community Involvement
Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts celebrated 20 years of its Stock Market Challenge on November 18 at Western New England University. The fast-paced simulation brought together hundreds of students, sponsors and volunteers for an exciting, educational day of trading and...
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...
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...
Sponsors and volunteers sought for 20th annual Stock Market Challenge
By JAWM
Corporate Responsibility
Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM) is seeking sponsors and volunteers for its 20th Annual Stock Market Challenge, taking place on Tuesday, November 18 at Western New England University in...
Purchase 4 Tires & Balise Will Make A Donation
By JAWM
Corporate Responsibility
Every fall and spring, Balise Auto Group runs its Tires to Inspire campaign to support local youth...
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...