She’s Helping Students See Careers They Never Knew Existed: Jamie Bateman’s JA Story

Image caption: Jamie Bateman of CRST helps students explore careers in trucking, logistics, and supply chain through hands-on Junior Achievement experiences that connect classroom learning to the real world.

For volunteer , mentorship and career exploration have always gone hand in hand.

Originally from Waterloo, Iowa, Jamie graduated from Union High School in La Porte City and began her career working in retail management while still in high school. Those early experiences took her across Iowa and Illinois and helped shape her leadership style centered around coaching, adaptability, and working with people.

In 2013, Jamie transitioned into the transportation and logistics industry by joining CRST as a Driver Recruiter. Over the years, she has grown through multiple roles within the organization and now serves as Senior Manager of Operations.

Much of Jamie’s career has focused on helping individuals navigate major career changes and build confidence in unfamiliar industries — work that sparked her passion for mentoring.

“What inspired me to volunteer with Junior Achievement was my background in mentoring and my belief in early career exposure,” Jamie shared. “Junior Achievement does an incredible job of showing kids real careers and real possibilities, and I wanted to be part of that.”

Jamie began volunteering with JAEI in 2025 and quickly found a meaningful way to connect students with an industry many may not otherwise explore. Through equipment fairs and student events, she helps bring CRST trucks to schools and events, giving students a hands-on look into supply chain and logistics careers.

One of her favorite parts of volunteering is watching students light up with curiosity when they climb inside the truck and begin asking questions.

“It’s a great way to help kids connect what they’re learning to real jobs and real opportunities,” she said.

One experience, in particular, stood out to Jamie during a recent equipment fair. After adjusting the event setup, she began giving short, impromptu lessons to each student group about trucking, CRST, and the logistics industry.

“The level of curiosity was amazing,” Jamie said. “Students asked thoughtful questions and were genuinely interested in learning more.”

For Jamie, those moments reinforce the value of helping students understand how classroom learning connects to the real world. She believes Junior Achievement programs help students build awareness, confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving skills that will benefit them long into the future.

“JA helps bridge that gap by introducing these concepts at a younger age,” she explained. “Those early experiences can make a lasting impact.”

Outside of work and volunteering, Jamie also mentors college students through Collegiate Women in Business (CWIB) and works closely with interns and leadership development initiatives at CRST. As a mother of a five-year-old son, she says parenthood has deepened her appreciation for mentorship and helping young people recognize what’s possible for their futures.

Her advice for anyone considering volunteering with Junior Achievement?

“Just do it,” Jamie said. “You don’t need special training or the perfect background to make a difference. Even a small amount of time can leave a lasting impression.”

Whether she’s mentoring employees, supporting future leaders at CRST, or helping students explore careers through Junior Achievement, Jamie is passionate about helping others discover opportunities they may never have considered before.