One Conversation Can Change a Future: JA Career Inspire Connects Students with What’s Next

Image caption: Students connect one-on-one with local professionals at JA Career Inspire, building confidence while learning about careers and the people behind them.

What does it take for a student to begin imagining a future they never knew was possible?

Sometimes, it starts with one conversation. One hands-on experience. One local professional who takes the time to say, “Here's what I do—and you could do it, too.”

That's the power of JA Career Inspire.

This fall, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa will once again bring thousands of students and local businesses together for two immersive career exploration experiences:

Cedar Valley JA Career Inspire
September 17–18, 2026
Waterloo Convention Center

Corridor JA Career Inspire
November 10–11, 2026
Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids

JA Career Inspire is more than a career fair. Students begin their experience in the classroom with seven career exploration sessions before attending the in-person event, where careers come to life through conversations and interactive, hands-on activities.

Instead of simply walking past booths and collecting information, students might try a tool, solve a problem, explore technology, practice a workplace skill, or talk directly with someone doing a job they have never considered.

And sometimes, that experience changes how they see their future.

Thousands of Students. Hundreds of Career Connections.

In 2025, the impact of JA Career Inspire could be seen across Eastern Iowa.

In the Cedar Valley, 1,478 students from 12 schools explored 60 hands-on career activities with the support of 185 volunteers.

In the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor, 4,050 students from 24 schools within 19 school districts connected with 68 hands-on career activities and 353 volunteers.

Combined, that's 5,528 students who had an opportunity to see careers differently—not as something far off in the future, but as possibilities they can begin exploring today.

One Lisbon student summed up an important lesson from the experience:

“I learned that there really is something different for everyone. I also learned that many of the stopping points give people opportunities to get into colleges in their fields.”

— Student, Lisbon CSD

For another student, the takeaway wasn't only about a particular occupation. It was also about understanding what it takes to succeed in the workplace:

“Getting to know the career better and to have good communication with co-workers.”

— Student, Waterloo CSD

Image caption: Students experience career possibilities firsthand as local professionals introduce them to the tools and technology used in today's workplace.

Career Exploration Builds Economic Mobility

Students can't pursue opportunities they don't know exist.

Career exploration gives young people the chance to discover the range of pathways available to them and begin understanding the education, training, skills, and connections that can help them get there.

That's where JA Career Inspire becomes more than a one-day event.

By connecting students directly with businesses and professionals from their own communities, Career Inspire helps students expand their understanding of what's possible. They see career pathways across agriculture, building trades, business and finance, health sciences, human services, information technology and energy, manufacturing, transportation, distribution and logistics, and more.

Those connections can help students make more informed decisions about high school courses, postsecondary education, training, and future careers—all important building blocks for long-term economic mobility.

For educators, the value is seeing students begin to envision those possibilities for themselves.

“Career Inspire gives kids a vision to inspire towards.”

— Kelly Martin, Teacher, Waterloo CSD

Image caption: A healthcare professional guides students through a hands-on activity, giving them an up-close look at the skills, technology, and opportunities found in healthcare careers.

Your Business Can Help Students Discover What's Next

JA Career Inspire works because local professionals are willing to share what they know.

Businesses can host hands-on activities that give students an authentic glimpse into their field, while individual volunteers can interact with students, answer questions, share their career journeys, and help young people understand the skills employers value.

It's also an opportunity for Eastern Iowa businesses to play an active role in developing their future workforce.

“Students remember the people who take the time to engage with them. Our volunteers and activity hosts have an opportunity to make careers real for students—to answer their questions, share their experiences and show them possibilities they may not have known existed. Those conversations can have an impact long after JA Career Inspire is over.”

— Liv Allen, Workforce Manager, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa

For businesses, participation is about more than promoting an industry. It's an opportunity to introduce young people to local career pathways, build awareness of the skills needed in tomorrow's workforce, and invest directly in the next generation of Eastern Iowa professionals.

Image caption: Students get hands-on with the building trades, using real-world skills to explore careers they could pursue right here in Eastern Iowa.

Be Part of JA Career Inspire 2026

The future workforce is sitting in today's classrooms.

JA Career Inspire gives businesses and volunteers the opportunity to meet those students now—to share their expertise, spark curiosity, and help a young person discover a path they may never have considered.

Want to volunteer or have your business host a hands-on activity?
Contact Liv Allen, Workforce Manager, at oallen@jaeasterniowa.org to learn how you or your organization can get involved.

There's still time to sponsor JA Career Inspire! Sponsorship gives your organization an opportunity to invest in career exploration, connect with Eastern Iowa's future workforce, and help ensure students have access to meaningful, hands-on career experiences. Sponsorship opportunities include multiple levels of support and opportunities for recognition and engagement.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Haley Rosendahl at hrosendahl@jaeasterniowa.org or Josie Bitter at Jbitter@jaeasterniowa.org.