A student is never too young to have a taste of the business world — and the entrepreneurs of tomorrow are fortunate to have Junior Achievement to open the door for them. Since 1919, JA has been instilling the passion in students about being part of a business and seeing first-hand how to operate an enterprise.
JA is the world’s largest organization devoted to that purpose, and has capitalized on its success with its hands-on programs that help prepare young people is all aspects of self-employment. Many alumni of the program have cited their experience in JA as the foundation for their interest in being self-employed.
While getting into business might seem like joining an elite organization with many prerequisites to complete beforehand, JA makes it not so. With the mystery taken away, potential entrepreneurs are eager to open the door their futures.
One of this year’s inductees into the Hall of Fame puts it succinctly: a lot of the work of Junior Achievement is taking the time to expose young people to the kinds of things to help broaden their horizons, to help shape their dreams.
JA Worldwide reaches more than 10 million students each year with 312,954 educators in 121 countries. Volunteers globally come from a wide range of backgrounds: retirees, business people, college students and parents.
Local chapters each year honor distinguished business leaders who have acted as role models for students.
This year’s honorees for Junior Achievement of Central Ohio include Robert H. “Bobby” Schottenstein, chairman, president and CEO of M/I Homes Inc., and John P. McConnell, chairman and CEO of Worthington Industries Inc.
They join the more than 80 business leaders inducted into the Junior Achievement of Central Ohio Hall of Fame in the past 26 years who give inspiration and purpose to young people to succeed in a global economy. ●
2013 Hall of Fame Honorees
