HANDS ON.
MINDS OPEN.
We’re taking 8th and 11th grade students across the Mid-South on an immersive career exploration journey this spring!
A GATEWAY
TO DISCOVERY.
JA Inspire is a powerful, interactive experience that brings together industry leaders and regional schools for an exciting look into fast-growing, high-demand careers available in our region. It is more than a career fair; it exposes students to diverse career pathways and helps launch them into their future—high school, college, careers, and beyond.
What is JA Inspire?
JA Inspire is a career exploration program designed for students to learn about and gain exposure to the industries and career opportunities available to them across the Mid-South. The program culminates with both a hands-on expo for 8th graders and an interactive virtual career fair for 11th graders that bring to life a variety of careers, while highlighting the different educational pathways to obtaining them.
What does JA Inspire include?
JA Inspire includes a tailored curriculum that takes students through the career exploration process—from defining what is a career and taking a career and skills assessment to researching the fastest growing industries and exploring careers of interest in the JA Journeys.
When & where is JA Inspire?
8th graders will arrive at our interactive, hands-on expo on
May 6-8, 2025 at the
Agricenter International:
7777 Walnut Grove Rd.
JA Inspire Advanced is available through our digital platform
from January - May 2025
for 11th grade students.
Why is JA Inspire unique?
JA Inspire offers middle and high school students the opportunity to learn about careers directly from industry representatives to better prepare themselves for when they enter the workforce. Through our unique framework called JA Journeys, this program explores the intersectionality of careers across industries and highlights how students can turn their skills and interests into fulfilling careers.
JA Journeys
As students explore the program, they will be introduced to the JA Journeys. These journeys not only allow students to see how a variety of careers intersect to create a desired product or service, but they also align with the major economic drivers within our region. It is important for students to realize that certain skills and training are adaptable and can help them move across industries within the same career or open the door to a new field of interest. This year, JA Inspire will offer career exploration using the journeys:
DESIGN TO PRODUCTION
INJURY TO REHAB
FARM TO TABLE
STUDIO TO STADIUM
WHAT'S NEXT
This Year’s Focus Industries
- Accounting, Finance & Insurance
- Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
- Architecture, Engineering & Construction
- Arts, A/V Technology, Communications & Design
- Business Management, Administration & Marketing
- Government & Public Administration
- Health Science & Medical Education
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Human Services, Education & Training
- Information Technology
- Law & Public Safety
- Manufacturing
- Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
