60 Years of Impact: JA Alumni Prove the Power of Real-World Learning

Author: Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
Published: Tuesday, 21 Oct 2025

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Image caption: Junior Achievement changes lives

For 60 years, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JAEI) has been preparing students to turn potential into opportunity. Today, we see the lasting results of that mission reflected in the lives of Junior Achievement (JA) Alumni across the nation.

A new 2025 JA Alumni Report, conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Junior Achievement USA, surveyed 1,002 JA Alumni ages 22–43 (Millennials and Gen Z) to better understand how their JA experiences shaped their futures. The findings affirm what generations of educators, volunteers, and supporters in Eastern Iowa have known all along — Junior Achievement changes lives.

JA’s Lasting Influence

Nearly all alumni (96%) say they were positively influenced by JA in some way. Over half credit JA with shaping their work ethic (57%), career choices (56%), or money management (54%).
Even more compelling, nine in ten say JA played an important role in strengthening their belief that they can achieve their goals, influencing their career and personal development, and exposing them to new ways of thinking.

From Students to Thriving Adults

Two-thirds of JA Alumni (66%) consider themselves thriving — a measure of overall life satisfaction and financial stability. Eighty-three percent say they have a fulfilling career, and 81% feel they have strong financial footing.
Compared to their peers nationwide, JA Alumni are significantly more likely to describe themselves as middle or higher income (73% vs. 47%). This finding reinforces JA’s long-term impact on economic mobility — the ability to improve one’s financial standing and achieve a choice-filled life.

Connecting Classrooms to Careers

At Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, our approach to learning is built on real-world connection. Through classroom programming for Kindergarten through 12th grade, students learn essential lessons in financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship from caring community volunteers. These early experiences build confidence, critical thinking, and the foundation for lifelong success.

As students progress through JA’s hands-on experiences — from JA BizTown® Mobile and JA Finance Park® Mobile to JA Career Inspire® and 3DE™ by Junior Achievement — they continue to see how classroom learning applies to the real world. Together, these programs help students explore career pathways, make informed financial decisions, and develop the skills to thrive in an ever-changing economy.

Celebrating 60 Years of Possibility

As JAEI celebrates 60 years of impact, the stories of JA Alumni remind us that every volunteer hour, classroom lesson, and partnership makes a difference. The students we inspire today become the innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers of tomorrow.

Read the full 2025 JA Alumni Report: 2025 JA Alumni Report