YouthForce NOLA + Junior Achievement Career Expo Inspires Youth with High-Demand Career Opportunities
The excitement was palpable as about 2200 ninth graders from Orleans Parish high schools gathered at UNO's Lakefront Arena on Friday, March 22, 2024, for the highly anticipated YouthForce NOLA + Junior Achievement Career Expo.
This year's Career Expo hosted an impressive lineup of over 80 employers, training providers, and educational institutions, providing students with invaluable insights into various career pathways. The event serves as a platform for freshmen to explore high-wage opportunities in sectors including Health Sciences, Digital Media & IT, Business Services, and Skilled Crafts & Manufacturing, all of which are projected to experience significant growth in the Greater New Orleans region in the coming years. This exploration resonates deeply with students, igniting their interest and sparking conversations about their future career aspirations.
Students enthusiastically rotated through the arena, engaging with professionals, participating in hands-on activities to learn more about various career options. Feedback from attendees reflected the profound impact of the Expo, with many expressing gratitude for the opportunity to explore potential future professions.
Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans President Larry Washington emphasized the importance of early exposure to career opportunities, stating, "If students aren’t aware that a specific industry or position exists, they won’t be able to start preparing for the role and, ultimately, filling the demand for these high-wage career openings."
The 2024 YouthForce NOLA + Junior Achievement Career Expo serves as a beacon of opportunity for nineth graders in Orleans Parish high schools, but our impact won’t stop there. JA will continue to offer them exploration and preparation throughout their high school years with programs like the JA Career Speaker Series, JA Job Shadow, JA Soft Skills, and more. These youth encounter a vast array of high-demand career paths available to them with continuous programming that helps to guide their educational choices in high school and beyond.
The annual Career Expo, organized in collaboration with YouthForce NOLA, has proven to be a fruitful partnership for Junior Achievement, local schools, and employers alike. Companies value the chance to initiate workforce development initiatives at an early age, while educators gain valuable insights to support students' informed career goals. As students continue to explore and chart their paths towards success, the Expo remains a pivotal event in shaping the future of our youth and workforce in Greater New Orleans.
Thank you to all the companies, schools, and volunteers who made this year’s Expo a success!
For those interested in volunteering in JA work readiness programs or having their company participate in the 2025 Expo, please reach out to lauren@jagno.org to get involved in shaping the future of our youth and workforce.