Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Praxair, Inc. and hosted by Matrix Reality Group, Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut and local area companies joined together on March 30,2017 at the Matrix Corporate Center to provide local students the opportunity to explore potential career paths.
The day began with a greeting from Bernadine Venditto, President of Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut. Mike Giurgis, Property Manager of Matrix Reality Group then introduced students to hospitality management.
Devon Scanlon, owner of Chick-fil-A Brookfield, CT inspired students with her personal success story. The second half of the event provided an interactive approach where over sixty students from Bethel, Brookfield and Danbury high schools had the chance to experience hands-on learning in three main areas: Higher Education, STEM and Career Readiness. Students participated in mock interviews, a budgeting workshop and a lesson on how to write an effective college essay. Representatives from Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Guideposts, Odyssey Logistics, Western Connecticut State University, Naugatuck Valley Community College and Junior Achievement provided students with both personal and professional knowledge.
“I learned so much today! I enjoyed the mock interviews, learned a lot about preparing for interviews/how to keep a job and how to manage my budgeting and improve my financial choices” – Brookfield High School student
JA needs volunteers for upcoming programs in the spring. Empower the future…your time today, their success tomorrow. Please contact Molly Anderson Diker at MAndersonDiker@jawct.org or call 203-382-0180 x16.
About Junior Achievement USA® (JA)
Established in 1919, Junior Achievement (JA) is the world's largest organization dedicated to preparing and inspiring young people to succeed in the global economy. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, in order to provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches more than 4.5 million students per year in 115 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.7 million students served by operations in 120 other countries worldwide. Annually, Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut works in partnership with 1,150 volunteers and provides empowering programs to 22,700 K-12 students in sixteen communities. Visit www.jawct.org for more information.