The 2025 YouthForce NOLA + Junior Achievement Career Expo
The 2025 Career Expo will take place on Wednesday, March 19, from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm at the UNO Lakefront Arena.
Each year, YouthForce NOLA and Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans gather high school freshmen from public schools across the city to expose them to high-wage, high-demand career pathways that will put them on a path to economic prosperity. We focus on four skill clusters: digital media/IT, skilled crafts, health sciences, and business services, while highlighting green infrastructure and STEM careers.
Career Expo offers the local business community an opportunity to introduce and expose young people to their industry and work in a fun, interactive, and relaxed environment. The 2025 Career Expo will take place on Wednesday, March 19, from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm at the UNO Lakefront Arena. If you are an employer interested in having a booth, please fill out the Employer Registration Form or contact lauren@jagno.org. If you are a school interested in registering your students, please contact madeline@jagno.org.
What is Future Connect?
The YouthForce NOLA + Junior Achievement Future Connect collaboration matches local employers and training providers with tailored volunteer opportunities including guest speakers, classroom panels, visits to local businesses, educator externships, and customized programming. Future Connect is both a hub for the local business community to engage and promote their industry among public high school students and a resource for educators to make college and career exploration a regular, seamless part of students’ learning.
Are you an educator interested in being part of the YouthForce NOLA + Junior Achievement Future Connect program? Visit the Request a Program page or contact Madeline Hauck, Director of Impact and School Support (madeline@jagno.org).
Are you a community member interested in volunteering with the YouthForce NOLA + Junior Achievement Future Connect program? Visit the Volunteer Opportunities page or contact Lauren Stendahl, Director of Impact & Partnerships (lauren@jagno.org).
Future Connect Programming
Educators at YouthForce NOLA partner high schools can request Future Connect programming at any time. Check out some of our offerings below.
Guest Speaker (Virtual or In-Person)
Invite an individual or a panel of representatives from a local industry to speak with your students about their careers and education/training history, and answer students’ questions. We coordinate with speakers and prepare them for the session with talking points and a presentation.
Professional Skill Building (In-Person)
Prepare students for the world of work by introducing them to the essentials of professional communication and relationship-building. Lessons can be delivered by educators, Junior Achievement staff members, or one of our 250+ local business partners.
Workplace Site Visit (In-Person)
Visit GNO-area job sites with your students for a 60- to 120-minute tour, complete with employee presentations and the opportunity for Q&A.
Career Fair (In-Person)
Help students explore their options and aspirations by hosting a Career Fair at your school. We recruit local companies to exhibit based on your students’ interests, and we offer extensive support with planning and execution.
Original Programming (Virtual or In-Person)
Don’t see the content you’re looking for? We’ve got you covered! All of our programs can be adapted or combined to meet your and your students’ needs, and we love for our teachers to get creative. Send us your ideas and we’ll develop a program that works for you.
Special Education Programs
Do you teach Special Education, English Learners, or another specialized curriculum? We craft our programs and events to accommodate the needs of all learners, and can work with you to care for the unique needs of your students and school community.