How to Participate in Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement brings the real world to children and teenagers. Through hands-on experiences, young people learn about the economics they'll need to know in the real world. Every year, JA reaches 8 million students worldwide. Volunteers go into elementary, middle and high schools and teach children how they can impact the world. There are JA centers in more than 200 U.S. cities, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Participate as a Volunteer

1. Decide what sort of volunteer work you're interested in. You can work with children in a classroom or help out at a special event. It depends on your availability and strengths.
2. Go online to Junior Achievement's website. Click on the section titled JA Near You. Select the region you live in to find the office closest to you (see Resources below).
3. Watch the JA volunteer video. It shows how volunteers make a difference.
4. Fill out the volunteer form available on the Junior Achievement website. It includes your contact information and message. JA will get in touch with you once they receive the form.
5. Contact Junior Achievement's national office in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Call [phone] or email [e-mail].
6. Talk to a JA employee about the opportunities available. You can teach children about work readiness, entrepreneurship or financial literacy.

Participate as a School

7. Talk to the teacher or the principal about bringing JA into the classroom. If there is widespread interest, the program can come into your school.
8. Contact your local Junior Achievement office. Search on JA's website by region (see Resources below).
9. Arrange a curriculum for your school. Determine which grades and specific classes will have the Junior Achievement program.
10. Have students check out the Student Center. It's a database specifically designed to be a teens Map for Tomorrow. Search for colleges, figure out how to get financial aid, explore careers and handle your money.