Before each volunteer event, a Junior Achievement representative asks us about when we were first exposed to financial education. For me, I didn't really pay attention to personal finance until late in high school or early in college! I can't imagine how different my high school and college experiences would have been if I had been involved in a program like JA at an early age.

My first interaction with Junior Achievement came with my employment with MetLife in Greenwood Village, CO. Our office actively participates in at least two JA events every school year:

• JA Finance Park helps middle and high school students navigate the world of personal finance through an interactive field trip experience. Using a tablet-based simulation, students assume family and income scenarios and gather information to make financial decisions. As volunteers, we own a "business" that can range from banks, to daycares, to car dealerships. With our help, the students learn to use bank services, contribute to charities, pay for basic living expenses and make investments, all while working to balance their budgets. 
• JA in a Day places pairs of volunteers in elementary school classrooms with a day's worth of curriculum material to engage and inspire students to become financially literate, work ready and entrepreneurial. Each grade has a curriculum tailored towards that specific age range, and uses hands-on lessons and activities paired with the volunteer's life lessons to motivate students to actively engage in their financial futures.

Through these events, it's so cool to see these kids get excited about budgeting and saving money for "wants" versus "needs" and understanding how a community works financially. I'm proud that our company supports such a valuable organization to these kids' futures, and I hope that you'll help to support them as well, either through this Bowl-a-Thon or through your local organization!