Volunteer Spotlight - Brittney Jones
Author: Ed Grocholski
Community Involvement
Published:
Monday, 19 Apr 2021
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Image caption: Image of Brittany Jones
"The kids had breakthroughs when they realized they could turn their interests into careers."
In middle of 2020 at the height of the pandemic, Brittney Jones volunteered to help high schoolers understand the range of school and career options available to them after graduation. An Internal Auditor with Discover, Brittney chose to share her skills through Junior Achievement's JA Finance Park program because she knows that her impact will make a long-term difference in the lives and futures of teens by teaching them things they didn't yet know about credit, banking, and careers.
Due to in-person restrictions, Brittney conducted her volunteer sessions virtually, walking students through JA lesson plans that she "made her own." She encouraged the teens to consider their interests, talents, goals, and hobbies to help identify a career niche or college major. According to Brittney, the students thought about how to turn their love for animals or aptitude for TikTok videos, for example, into jobs – and the steps they need to take to make that happen.
"The kids did their 'homework' – which was to research what they needed to do to turn their passions into professions," said Jones – adding that about one-quarter of the students knew what they wanted to do after high school. To the other 75 percent who weren't sure, she told them that it's normal not to know what you want to be – that's why you're in school. When in high school herself, Brittney knew she wanted to have a career in the finance field and kept an open mind until she found "her right place" at Discover.
"Ultimately, the kids and I learned from each other, and we also discovered more about ourselves. Maybe one day, the teens I taught will also volunteer for JA and be able to share their own personal experiences. At the end of the day, I'm happy to be able to use JA Finance Park to let students know that they have so many options and can create their own future."
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