Virtual Fair Connects Students with Career Passions

What do you want to be when you grow up?

It’s a question every student faces all too frequently. Kids know what their parents do, and they see other professionals in their daily lives, like teachers, doctors, and nurses. But other than through social media, the scope of other career possibilities is often limited. In fact, in recent years, one of the most common answers to this question is ‘YouTuber.’ We can do better than this. We need to do better than this.

Imagine if you had been given the opportunity to learn about different careers and explore your passions before planning your career? The JA Inspire Virtual Career Expo, underwritten by a grant from the L3Harris Foundation, provides secondary students the rare opportunity to explore potential career paths for high-wage and high-demand jobs on the Space Coast. Students will begin their exploration with mostly abstract notions and will end up focused and activated, with real insights on what industries interest them, what specific jobs are like, and what education is required to do them successfully.  

As importantly, The JA Inspire Career Expo allows exhibiting companies to share their missions, visions, future opportunities, and recommendations on education. In other words, JA Inspire allows industry to shape the Space Coast workforce pipeline. Using videos, photos, a Q&A feature, and company-specific career information, exhibitors will design and set up their own virtual interactive booths, ensuring that exhibits interest and engage students — with as much “wow” factor as possible.

“We are happy that the L3Harris Foundation could provide support for this event,” said Rick Simonian, a longtime board member of Junior Achievement of the Space Coast who is vice president of strategy and business development at L3Harris. “There will be all types of companies and careers highlighted. From STEM careers in engineering, advanced manufacturing, product management, to nonprofit work, finance, construction, trades, and more. And of course, we’d love to excite the younger generation about potential careers at L3Harris. This initiative is well–aligned with where we need to go with our company and as a community.”

Going live March 15 and continuing through the end of the school year, the virtual platform for JA Inspire eliminates the geographic challenges that are inherent in 72-mile-long Brevard. This way, schools in Titusville and Palm Bay have as equal an opportunity of attending as schools in the central area. We’re hoping that JA Inspire will build year after year, allowing all secondary students to be inspired by future possibilities on the Space Coast.

In a year when BPS has had to cancel all field trips, the JA Inspire Virtual Career Expo allows students to virtually leave their homes and classrooms and explore a futuristic world full of opportunities and optimism. And to be inspired.

Anne Conroy-Baiter joined Junior Achievement of the Space Coast in 2014. She was a  member of the LEAD Brevard Class of 2016, sits on the boards of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast and Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce, and serves as a mentor for WeVenture’s Ignite program. She and her daughters live in Cocoa Beach, where they are grateful for warm winters and beaches.

Read more articles in our digital magazine.