Parents

Dear Parent/Guardian:

What is JA Inspire?

The JA Inspire program is a coalition of educators and industry leaders, led by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island, working to provide RI students with valuable information and virtual experiences as they consider their future careers - especially the high-wage/high-demand careers in Rhode Island. 

As your student starts to explore high school and higher education options, the JA Inspire program will help showcase the opportunities that are waiting for them when they complete their education. This program is designed to help your student create a pathway for success.

The program consists of a six-session digital curriculum specifically designed to raise student awareness and excitement about high-demand/high-growth careers here in Rhode Island.  These sessions include a skills and interest inventory quiz that will inform them of jobs and the industries that match their results, they will perform research on RI’s high-wage/high-demand industries, and will participate in an activity about soft skills that employers are looking for.  As part of the in-class curriculum, your student will bring home a letter that includes some results from his/her personality and career interest surveys.

Next, your student will participate in the Career Exploration Fair at the Rhode Island Convention Center where they will visit up to 12 different career industry halls with over 100 booths! The exhibitors include representatives from RI’s high wage/high-growth employers, high school/career and tech centers, skilled trades, colleges and universities, and many others. All booths include a hands-on activity that engages students in what the career and industry may actually be like.

Here are some tools that are available to help you with your students’ educational and career planning:

Here to Career - https://career.ja.org/
Provides middle and high school students with a unique opportunity to engage in detailed career exploration, with a focus on opportunities in their own community and regional area. State-of-the-art technology includes a graphic depiction of careers; an assessment to provide students with suggestions on careers that best suit their interests, talents, and values; and the opportunity to explore post-secondary education requirements, cost, and regional opportunities.

Career Cluster/Industry Research - www.onetonline.org
The O*NET Program is the nation's primary source of occupational information. It has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development, HR professionals, students, researchers, and more!

College Planning Center of Rhode Island - www.risla.com/college-planning-center
The College Planning Center is in the Warwick Mall and as well as other satellite locations in RI. It offers FREE services in college planning, reviewing college essays, scholarship searches, and financial aid, and offers guidance in the financial aid application process, comparing financial aid awards, financing options, and events and seminars.

JA USA Program Supplements - www.ja.org
JA USA program supplements are for use with all JA programming in order to extend and enhance the JA experience for students. These supplements provide students with additional information, learning opportunities, and experiences that support their understanding of JA's curriculum.