Junior Achievement and Microsoft Partner on Microsoft YouthSpark Initiative in Houston

Related: Education

Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas and Microsoft today announced a new collaboration as part of the Microsoft YouthSpark initiative to help local students explore careers in the technology hardware and software industries.

Through Microsoft YouthSpark, an increased number of local Houston-area middle and high school students will participate in the JA Job Shadow^TM program, including teacher-led classroom instruction around key work-readiness skills such as leadership, teamwork and how to conduct a successful job search. The students then visit a Microsoft Retail Store for a day-long mentoring experience giving them a first-hand glimpse into the world of work and the opportunity to apply their classroom learning.

"We are thrilled to partner with Microsoft to help students develop and enhance skills needed for future career pursuits," said Rick Franke, president, JA of Southeast Texas. "Through JA Job Shadow, students will learn resume writing, job interviewing and decision making, to help position them for success in the workforce."

Students in the greater Houston region join youth in 49 other communities across the United States to participate in this effort.

About Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas

Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas is the greater Houston area's largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network of 12,000 adult role models, JA of Southeast Texas provides in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12 which focus on entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy. Today, JA of Southeast Texas reaches 245,000 students in more than 900 schools. For more information, visit www.jahouston.org.

About Microsoft YouthSpark

Microsoft YouthSpark is a global initiative that aims to create opportunities for 300 million youth in more than 100 countries during the next three years. This companywide initiative includes Citizenship and other company programs - both new and enhanced - that empower youth to imagine and realize their full potential by connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship. Find out more at: http://www.microsoft.com/youthspark.