Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa

09/23/2026

️ New Episode of the Real World Rundown!

What does it really take to build a career, grow as a leader, and navigate the opportunities along the way?

In our latest episode, Lura McBride, President & CEO of Van Meter , joins us to share her experiences, insights, and real-world perspective with the next generation.

These are the conversations that help young people see what’s possible—and understand that every career journey has its own story.

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of the Real World Rundown on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ydWnudvZQW56eaEy8x6VK

09/22/2026

Thank you Iowa's News Now for covering this event! Our next JA Career Inspire is November 10 & 11 at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids. If your business is interested in hosting an activity, reach out to Liv Allen, [email protected] today! Over 4,000 local students will participate in this hands-on career exploration fair.

09/21/2026

✨ That’s a wrap on JA Career Inspire in the Cedar Valley!

Over two incredible days, more than 1,600 middle school students stepped outside the classroom and into their futures—trying new skills, meeting local professionals and discovering careers they may have never considered before.

From healthcare and technology to manufacturing, skilled trades and beyond, Career Inspire is about more than learning what jobs are out there. It’s about helping students see what’s possible. 💡

A huge THANK YOU to the businesses, volunteers, educators and community partners who helped bring careers to life for Cedar Valley students!

📺 And we were excited to have CBS2 join us! Check out their coverage of JA Career Inspire:
https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/1600-cedar-valley-middle-schoolers-explore-careers-at-ja-career-inspire-event

09/21/2026

Students Remember the People

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can give a student is your time. 💚

JA volunteers help students connect classroom learning to the real world—sharing their experiences, encouraging questions, and helping young people imagine what their own futures could look like.

You don’t have to be a teacher to make a difference. JA provides the materials and support. You bring your experience and enthusiasm.

Ready to make an impact this school year?

👉 Choose an opportunity that works for you:
https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=c.SignUpSearch&eid=08CBCADFFAC9F8600B&cs=09CBBAAD8FBC8B137B7E640E5BCE9BCEFDB4&sortby=l.title

09/19/2026

Thank you Iowa's News Now for covering this awesome event!

More than 1,600 middle school students from across the Cedar Valley spent two days getting hands-on experience with careers they may have never considered, as l

09/18/2026

Where careers come to life! 🚀

Day one of Cedar Valley JA Career Inspire gave 8th-grade students the chance to do more than just hear about careers—they got to experience them.

Through hands-on activities and conversations with local professionals, students explored career pathways, discovered new possibilities, and started imagining where their own interests and talents could take them.

And we’re just getting started! 💡

09/18/2026

Make an Impact

The school year is underway—and so are opportunities to make an impact! 💚

When you volunteer with Junior Achievement, you bring the real world into the classroom. By sharing your experiences, you can help students see the connection between what they’re learning today and the possibilities waiting for them tomorrow.

Whether you’ve volunteered with JA before or are ready to give it a try for the first time, we’d love to have you join us this school year.

🙋 Find a volunteer opportunity and sign up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=c.SignUpSearch&eid=08CBCADFFAC9F8600B&cs=09CBBAAD8FBC8B137B7E640E5BCE9BCEFDB4&sortby=l.title

09/16/2026

The Dream starts here! 🚀

The first Iowa City Community School District 9th graders of the school year stepped into the JA Dream Accelerator to explore their strengths, discover career possibilities, and begin connecting who they are today with where they could go tomorrow.

Through interactive, hands-on experiences, students explored education, careers, entrepreneurship, and the skills that can help them build their own path forward.

And this is only the beginning. 💡

We’re excited to welcome more ICCSD students to the Dream Accelerator throughout the school year and help them discover just how many possibilities are ahead.

09/15/2026

🎙️ New Episode: Meet Dr. Melissa Reade — Executive Director of Leader Valley

In our latest podcast episode, Dr. Melissa Reade, Executive Director of Leader Valley, shares her leadership journey, the work happening through Leader Valley, and why helping young people build confidence and leadership skills matters for the future of our communities.

🎧 Tune in to hear Melissa’s story and her perspective on leadership, education, and empowering the next generation.

Listen now on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5xONjFNZknUhrQrtBjQYs3



Leader Valley

09/14/2026

Learning becomes more powerful when students can see how it connects to the world around them. 💡

Through Junior Achievement, students don’t just learn concepts—they explore, ask questions, make decisions, solve problems, and discover what they’re capable of.

Because when learning feels relevant, curiosity grows. Confidence follows. And students begin to see new possibilities for their future.

That’s the power of learning by doing. 💙