Junior Achievement JobSpark 2026

Junior Achievement JobSpark more than a career fair: It brings together the business community and local schools and is designed to help launch middle school students into their future high school, college, and careers beyond. The program is both classroom- and event-based and consists of three segments: (1) in-class sessions presented by the classroom teacher; (2) the hands-on Junior Achievement JobSpark expo; and (3) an in-class debrief. During the Junior Achievement JobSpark expo, students participate in hands-on activities, often using equipment or tools used on a job. The multi-hour experience is configurable to align with local industry and career opportunities.

Students who participate in a Junior Achievement JobSpark event will:

-- Gain insight into career clusters that interest them.
-- Make connections with adults who have jobs in careers that interest them.
-- See the connection between high school programming choices and careers.
-- Collect information about the education required to be successful in a job.
-- Practice soft skills.

JA JobSpark is part of the JA Work and Career Readiness Pathway and is intended for middle school students (grades 6-8). This volunteer- and educator-led program can be classroom-based, remote live, or after-school. This program can be combined with JA Inspire Virtual to meet the needs of educators, students, and volunteers.

As part of this program, JA teachers and volunteers are encouraged to use the resources available in JA Connect® Learning Pathways, located at connect.ja.org. This self-guided experience includes interactives, JA Here to Career, and games and apps for student use.

JA programs support national and state standards in reading, mathematics, social studies, and work and career readiness. See below for more information on alignment with national and state standards.

JA Program Details

Grades:

Middle School

Sessions:

Volunteer Time Commitment:

Implementation Options:

Classroom Based
Virtual

JA Focus:

Financial Literacy Minimal Financial Literacy

Entrepreneurship Minimal Entrepreneurship

Work Readiness High Work Readiness

Related Program Supplements:

JA JobSpark 2023

JA JobSpark 2024 Video

Alignment with Standards

Common Core Standards

For those states that follow common core standards, Junior Achievement's curricula have been reviewed for alignment with these standards! Learn more by selecting the appropriate grade level below.

Main Correlation and Standards Page

National Standards

While educational standards are determined primarily at the state level, many national standards serve as guidelines for the development of these state standards. See how Junior Achievement curricula align with the national standards listed below.

State Standards

Junior Achievement curricula are created to align with state standards. To see how our programs align with your state's standards, explore the options below.

Scope and Sequence

Junior Achievement learning experiences cover financial literacy, career and work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Our extensive scope and sequence helps explain how our programs cover these subjects at various grade levels.

All Learning Experiences Grades K-5 Learning Experiences Grades 6-12 Learning Experiences High School Semester Courses Real Life Immersion Learning Experiences Young Adults 18-25 Learning Experiences

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