LOS ANGELES—On April 6th, 2022, we at Junior Achievement of SoCal (JASoCal), in partnership with Los Angeles City College, presented by American Honda Finance Corporation and supported by 60+ volunteers, provided a career-readiness educational event to help students understand the numerous career options available to them within two major local industries—Sports and Entertainment.
Learners had the unique opportunity to step behind the curtain and learn about the many job roles involved in making an industry a success—an experience that allows students to explore the many choices available to them as they navigate their transition from high school into the workforce. Additionally, students got a glimpse into what a college campus looks like.
Our JASoCal President & CEO Les McCabe says “The truth is, students only learn about a few career options that are available to them before they leave high school, by hosting the JA Career Summit, we can provide students with an opportunity to learn about some of the significant, but lesser-known jobs in the booming industries located in their own back yards. Students will hear the paths taken by each of our volunteers which helps students understand that rarely is success linear.”
The Summit included 9th-12th grade students with a focus on low-income schools and featured keynotes BeNeca Griffin CEO of Moments of Focus; Singer, Songwriter, Actress & CEO, Dawnn Lewis; American Elite Track Coach, Bob Kersee and Industry Panelists, David Siegel President & CEO of LA Sports Council & Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games; Dr. Chelsea Heyward, Advisor, Player’s Coalition; Christine Simmons, COO, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and Mark Taylor, Television Executive and Independent Producer.
Intimate, small group, break-out sessions were led by our volunteer professionals from 17 different companies, some of which include Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Creative Artist Agency, Endeavor, ABC Signature, LA Galaxy, Fox Sports, Player’s Coalition, Game Face Productions, Excel Sports Management, and ESPN.
McCabe added “we are particularly sensitive in providing volunteer diversity so that they reflect the students we serve socio-economically, culturally and physically to truly reinforce the idea that “if you can see it, you can be it”.
Major corporate sponsors of the event included American Honda Financial Services, Cathay Bank, Delta Air Lines, Amazon Studios, IBM, Paramount Pictures, City National Bank, and CIT.
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