Needs From: Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley

Cedar Valley JA Career Inspire® is a hands-on, try it for yourself career fair where students get to experience a variety of career fields.

In 2025, the Cedar Valley JA Career Inspire® connected 1,473 students from 15 schools with 179 volunteers representing 67 local businesses. Students engaged in 60 hands-on career activities showcasing opportunities across 43 industries—helping them discover their interests, understand the skills needed to achieve their goals, and align high school coursework with future pathways. More than a career fair, JA Career Inspire® is a powerful career-connected learning experience that unites business, education, and community partners to prepare students not just to navigate the future—but to shape it.

We are looking for two types of volunteers: 

-Type 1: Organizations or Individuals representing their organizations to host a booth providing a hands-on activity for students to try. You will be talking to students about your career, education background and day-to-day responsibilities. 

-Type 2: Individuals looking to volunteer to assist in facilitating transitions for students and other event needs.

Learn more about Cedar Valley JA Career Inspire® here

Local volunteer opportunities can be found here: https://engage.ja.org/?site=JAEICedarValley

Junior Achievement is a nonprofit that partners a community volunteer with a local classroom to lead short games and discussions focused on work readiness, entrepreneurship and/or financial literacy.  It is a short time commitment as you just visit your partnered classroom a total of 5-7 times, usually once  a week for 5-7 weeks. Each visit is about 30-45 minutes long.  Every resource you need to lead the activities is provided to you in a kit, that includes worksheets and stickers and fun stuff the students love