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Celebrating Local Entrepreneurs: Empowering Dreams During Entrepreneur Month
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
November is National Entrepreneur Month, and Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is celebrating the innovators who drive our communities forward! Entrepreneurship is at the heart of JA programming — inspiring students to think creatively, take initiative, and turn ideas into action. All month long, we’re featuring local entrepreneurs who embody the JA spirit of innovation and...
From Selective Silence to Center Stage
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
At Alburnett High School, one student’s courage captured exactly what 3DE™ is all about—building confidence, connection, and a sense of...
Powering Possibility: Wells Fargo and Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
Wells Fargo’s partnership with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa reflects a shared commitment to building financially resilient communities. Through financial support and hands-on volunteer engagement, Wells Fargo empowers students with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions and prepare for future careers. Their investment in innovative programs like JA BizTown® Mobile...
60 Years of Impact: JA Alumni Prove the Power of Real-World Learning
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
As Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa celebrates 60 years of impact, new national research shows the lasting difference JA makes in students’ lives. The 2025 JA Alumni Report reveals that 96% of alumni credit JA with positively influencing their personal and professional success — from stronger work ethic and money management skills to thriving careers and financial stability.
Locally, JA Eastern...
Inspire Students. Change Futures. Volunteer with Junior Achievement.
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Every day, students across Eastern Iowa are dreaming about their futures — imagining what they might become, the careers they’ll pursue, and the lives they’ll build. At Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, we believe those dreams deserve guidance, encouragement, and real-world perspective. That’s where you come in.
When you volunteer with Junior Achievement, you help students connect what they’re...
Staff Spotlight: Kim Graulein
By Cathy Essick
Financial Literacy
As a former classroom teacher, Kim Graulein brings her passion for education and financial literacy to her role as Program Manager at Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa. She works with schools, teachers, and students to create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that connect classroom lessons to real-world success. Originally from Northern Illinois, Kim taught English in North Carolina for...
Staff Spotlight: Meet Shelby Kobliska, 3DE™ School Coordinator
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is excited to welcome Shelby Kobliska (koh-BLISS-kah) as our new 3DE™ School Coordinator at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids. Shelby joined the team on July 1st and is helping launch Washington’s first year of 3DE™, a project-based learning model that connects classroom lessons to real-world careers.
Drawn to JAEI by its strong culture and community impact,...
Junior Achievement Launches It’s First Industry Recognized Credential
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
Technical knowledge may open the door to a job, but skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are what help students succeed long-term. That’s the focus of JA Essential Skills for Work, a new program now recognized as an Industry-Recognized Credential (IRC) by the Iowa Department of Education.
Through hands-on simulations at a fictional company, students practice decision-making,...
Volunteer Spotlight: Niki Davis
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Niki Davis, a financial advisor and founder of Maloney Davis Wealth Management, has been a dedicated Junior Achievement volunteer since 2009-2010. With a passion for financial literacy, she began teaching JA programs while working at Wells Fargo and continued as her children entered Lisbon Schools. She enjoys engaging students in discussions about business planning, taxes, and budgeting. Niki...
Gen Z's Career Confidence vs. Future Challenges: What Today’s Teens Really Think About Work, AI, and Education
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Work Readiness
As American teens stand on the brink of adulthood, they're navigating a rapidly changing world — one shaped by artificial intelligence, shifting views on higher education, and increasing financial pressure. But according to new research from Junior Achievement USA and Citizens, despite these mounting challenges, today’s teens are still remarkably optimistic about the...
