I am passionate about serving as board chair with Junior Achievement Northwest because I know JA changes students' lives. I have seen the impact JA makes in the classrooms I have volunteered in and watched the teamwork and problem solving skills students are able to display.
Last year I had what we like to call a "mission moment." One of those experiences that shows you, firsthand, the impact JA can make. I was leading a session on conflict management. We were role playing good vs. poor conflict managment skills. One of the teens, Brett, explained he'd had a big fight with his boss (from an internship) the prior week, and was supposed to meet with her again that evening. Using the JA material, we took what he actually said and translated it into something productive and respectful that he could use THAT DAY.
"No one told me we had to travel to do stupid teambuilding" turned into, "In the future, you should consider adding these activities into your onboarding documents, so employees can be better prepared."
"Teambuilding is stupid. I just came here to build stuff" became, "I know working as a team is important. But it might be even better if a crew went to help one of the other crews who has a project behind schedule."
I haven't heard wether Brett kept his intern role. BUT I am very certain that he was able to walk into that meeting prepared for an adult discussion, in a professional setting.
An investment of just $25 provides these life-guiding lessons to one local student. Please consider investing with me, so that kids, like Brett, learn what it takes to succeed.
