Junior Achievement Students Learn Business Skills at Microsoft Store at Westfarms Mall

Junior Achievement of Southwest New England and Microsoft will bring more than 100 area high school students to the new Microsoft retail store at the Westfarms Mall in April as part of a JA Job Shadow™ program – bringing the national initiative to Connecticut for the first time.

The work-readiness program includes teacher-led classroom instruction around key skills such as leadership, teamwork and how to conduct a successful job search. The students then visit a Microsoft retail store for a half-day mentoring experience to apply their classroom learning, and see a career in the technology field first-hand.

Participating next month will be students attending Berlin High School, Connecticut River Academy, East Hartford High School, Rocky Hill High School, Wallingford High School and Windsor High School.  The students will collaborate to create selling points on products, learn about how to work well in groups, gain insight into customer service skills, and receive tips on resumes and job interviews while learning about the various job opportunities at a leading global technology company.  Classroom sessions will take place before and after the time spent at the Microsoft store as part of the program curriculum.

“We are thrilled to partner with Microsoft to help students develop and enhance vital skills they’ll need to get their careers started,” said Lou Golden, President of JA of Southwest New England.  “Our mission is empowering young people to own their economic success.  The partnership with Microsoft reflects a common commitment to that objective, as we help prepare students in Connecticut for success in the workforce.”

The support of the business community is indispensable in furthering JA’s work with local schools and students.  The number of students reached by JA of Southwest New England programs has increased by 53 percent during the past decade, from just under 23,000 in 2003 to 35,000 in 2013.  In addition, the number of schools with JA programs has surpassed 165, the most in the organization’s history locally.

As part of the national partnership between Microsoft and Junior Achievement USA, Microsoft has created a Leaders Guide to prepare their employees for working with JA students.   More than 50 Microsoft stores throughout the country are participating in the JA Job Shadow™ program.  The retail store at Westfarms Mall opened in February, one of two Microsoft stores in Connecticut, and employs about 50 people.

“The JA Job Shadow™ program offers an opportunity for students to learn about Microsoft as a business, a culture and a career,” said Rick Green, Microsoft store manager at Westfarms Mall.  “Students meet Microsoft employees, learn about the industry and engage in activities focused on learning about the various positions at Microsoft, and what it takes to succeed in business.” 

With a range of programs designed for students from kindergarten through high school, JA is helping students understand the importance of saving and planning for future financial needs.  JA's unique delivery system provides the training, materials, and support necessary to enable volunteers to build student skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship.  

JA volunteers come from all walks of life and use their personal experiences to make the JA curricula practical and realistic. Providing children with positive adult role models, who illustrate ways to build self-confidence, develop skills and find avenues of success in our economic system, is a hallmark of Junior Achievement.

Last year, 2,500 volunteers - business professionals, parents, retirees, and college students – offered JA programs to students in schools throughout New Haven, Middlesex, Hartford, Litchfield, Windham, Tolland, and New London counties. 

To learn more about the JA Job Shadow™ program with Microsoft, and other JA programs and events, visit www.jaconn.net.