Junior Achievement of Orange County and Inland Empire (JA OCIE)
PROGRAMS
Financial Literacy, Work Readiness, and Entrepreneurship Education Programs for Students ages 5-25
JA Program Alignment to Core Pillars Junior Achievement (JA) delivers K–12 learning experiences focused on three key pillars: Financial Literacy, Work & Career Readiness, and Entrepreneurship. Through volunteer-led, standards-aligned lessons and hands-on experiences, students gain practical skills and confidence to thrive in school, the workplace, and life. JA programs are aligned with state and national education standards, and many of our high school-level programs meet California A–G course correlations, supporting college and career readiness benchmarks. 💼 Work & Career Readiness JA equips students with essential employability and life skills to prepare them for meaningful careers. Programs introduce students to career pathways, resume building, soft skills, and real-world work environments. Key Programs: JA Inspire Virtual – An interactive, online career exploration platform with over 100+ industry booths representing high-demand careers, allowing students to explore pathways, connect with employers, and learn what it takes to succeed. JA Career Speaker Series – Business volunteers share career journeys, life lessons, and workplace expectations with students through classroom and virtual engagements. JA Job Shadow – Students visit corporate sites or participate virtually to observe careers in action and understand job expectations. High School Programs – Cover interviewing, resume writing, professional communication, and ethics in the workplace. Many align with CA A–G criteria in career technical education (CTE), economics, and business. 💡 Entrepreneurship JA nurtures an entrepreneurial mindset by helping students develop the skills to launch, operate, and manage their own businesses. Students gain experience in problem-solving, teamwork, innovation, and leadership. Key Programs: JA Company Program – High school students design and run a startup, managing operations, marketing, sales, and finance. JA Be Entrepreneurial – Students explore business ideas, market research, cost structures, and business planning. Entrepreneurship Modules in JA Inspire & JA Day – Age-appropriate activities introduce the idea of creating value and starting a business even at the elementary level. 💰 Financial Literacy JA empowers young people with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions. Programs span basic money concepts to advanced personal finance, ensuring financial capability and long-term economic success. Key Programs: JA Finance Park Pop-Up (Mobile Experience) – A capstone budgeting simulation where students role-play as adults managing income, expenses, and real-world financial decisions. JA Personal Finance – High school students learn about credit, budgeting, savings, investing, and financial planning. JA Day (Elementary) – Teaches foundational money skills like needs vs. wants, earning income, and being a smart consumer. JA’s age-appropriate curriculum builds from awareness in elementary school to exploration in middle school and application in high school—ensuring students develop confidence and capability at every stage of their education.
📊 Program Outcomes & Impact
Junior Achievement’s goal is to ensure students gain the knowledge, tools, and inspiration needed to thrive in both their careers and personal lives. JA achieves this through meaningful volunteer-student engagement, enrichment of school curriculum, and hands-on learning that fosters positive attitudes about money, entrepreneurship, education, and the future of work.
Student Impact Outcomes
Independent evaluations of JA programs show significant outcomes across all grade levels:
Elementary School students report increased awareness of how financial concepts, education, and careers connect to their lives. They begin thinking about long-term goals and how JA lessons will apply in the future.
Middle School students demonstrate growth in entrepreneurial thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills. Many report increased confidence in their ability to plan for their future and understand the importance of career preparation.
High School students overwhelmingly agree that what they learn in JA is relevant, applicable, and critical to their future success—especially in personal finance, job readiness, and business understanding.
Across all levels, students report a stronger ability to connect classroom lessons to real-life situations, increased financial awareness, and greater confidence in their ability to set and pursue personal and professional goals.
Long-Term Impact: JA Alumni
According to the JA Alumni Report (2016–17):
JA alumni surpass the general public in educational attainment, career satisfaction, financial capability, and entrepreneurial activity.
Over 50% of JA alumni credit JA with influencing their career choices and inspiring confidence in their ability to succeed.
Many alumni report that JA improved their understanding of how money works and enhanced their belief in their ability to create a better future.
These findings support the conclusion that participation in JA programs leads to lasting improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to education, work, financial well-being, and self-efficacy.
CONTACT
Junior Achievement of Orange County and Inland Empire (JA OCIE)
6250 Forest Lawn Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90068-1016
Burgandie Onekea
Phone: 949-999-3581