600 Students. 2 Days. Countless Possibilities: Inside JA Inspire 2026
What happens when you bring together hundreds of high school students and the professionals shaping Los Angeles’ workforce?
You get JA Inspire — a two-day, high-energy experience where classrooms meet careers, and curiosity turns into confidence.
On March 11–12, Junior Achievement of Southern California welcomed more than 600 high school juniors and seniors from LA Unified and Green Dot Public Schools into JA Finance Park for an immersive look at what their futures could hold. But this wasn’t a typical career day — it was hands-on, fast-paced, and designed to help students take real steps toward their goals.
Turning Career Exploration into Real-World Experience
Before students even stepped foot into JA Inspire, many had already begun the journey.
More than 700 students participated in pre-event curriculum, completing career interest assessments and exploring pathways aligned with their strengths. In fact, 147 career inventory assessments helped students identify potential futures across high-demand industries like:
Business & Finance
Arts, Technology & Communications
Health Science
Engineering, Manufacturing & Logistics
Architecture & Construction
Then came the real magic — bringing that learning to life.
LEARNING BY DOING (NOT JUST LISTENING)
At JA Inspire, students didn’t just hear about careers — they experienced them.
They rotated through three core, hands-on experiences:
Resume Building Workshops
Students created or refined their resumes — often for the very first time — learning how to present their skills and experiences with confidence.
Mock Interviews
With guidance from real professionals, students practiced interviewing, received feedback, and built one of the most critical skills for entering the workforce.
Career Exhibitions
From aviation and banking to media, healthcare, and public service, students engaged directly with professionals at 21 exhibitor booths, asking questions, making connections, and discovering new possibilities.
As one student shared:
“The best thing I learned was stepping out of my comfort zone, not being afraid of asking questions — and it really helped set a goal for my future.”
“The best thing I learned was stepping out of my comfort zone, not being afraid of asking questions — and it really helped set a goal for my future.”
JA Inspire Student
The Power of Connection
What truly sets JA Inspire apart is the people.
More than 100 volunteers showed up to mentor, coach, and encourage students — sharing their own career journeys and offering real-world insight that can’t be found in a textbook.
And students felt it.
99% believe what they learned will be important in their future
96% said they benefitted from the experience
96% feel more motivated to plan for their future careers
98% said JA Inspire reinforced the importance of staying in school
A Community Effort to Build the Future Workforce
JA Inspire is made possible through a powerful network of partners committed to preparing the next generation.
A special thank you to presenting sponsor, Delta Air Lines and curriculum sponsor, BMO, along with partners including Deloitte, U.S. Bank, LADWP, and many others who showed up for students in meaningful ways. We would also like to thank Ellen Kuppersmith and those who donated to the Kuppersmith Memorial Fund, which supported this event.
From leading workshops to staffing booths and mentoring students, these organizations didn’t just participate — they co-created an experience that helps young people better understand their futures.
And the impact extends beyond students.
100% of exhibitors and volunteers said JA Inspire was a good or excellent event, and 99% said their time was meaningful and impactful.
Why It Matters
In a world where the path after high school can feel uncertain, experiences like JA Inspire help students connect the dots.
They begin to understand that there isn’t just one path — there are many.
College. Career. Technical training. Entrepreneurship.
And more importantly, they begin to see that those paths are within reach.
What’s Next
JA Inspire is just one part of how Junior Achievement of Southern California is helping students build career readiness, financial capability, and confidence for the future.
But for the hundreds of students who walked through those doors last week, it was something more:
A first interview.
A new idea.
A moment of confidence.
A glimpse of what’s possible.
Thank you.
📸 Click to see the photo highlights and relive the experience.
