Junior Achievement of Georgia is seeking business professionals and entrepreneurs to serve as volunteers for its JA Fellows Spring 2008 semester. The program provides students with a unique opportunity to start their own business, job shadow with Atlanta’s top companies and network with other students and business professionals from a variety of fields.

The JA Fellows program (www.jafellows.com), which began in 2006, offers highly motivated high school students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on leadership and business skills by working alongside their peers to pursue bold and ambitious goals. By sharing their personal life and career experiences, and armed with a structured curriculum, volunteers mentor high school students and help equip them with the necessary skills to effectively compete in the global economy. With volunteer guidance, students develop leadership skills, learn about budgeting and finance, and small business development and management.

“The best part of being a JA Fellow Volunteer is the privilege of watching young people become aware of life’s limitless possibilities,” says volunteer and entrepreneur Derek Johnson. “Knowing that the little time we spend each week with the fellows could potentially give these kids the inspiration they need to lead companies and start their own businesses puts a smile on my face. As a business man and as a person, I grow from each meeting and I learn as much from the students as they learn from us.”

Current JA Fellows volunteers range from top business executives and retirees to entrepreneurs and recent college graduates. Volunteers are asked to attend a 2-hour training session, commit at least one evening per week for thirteen weeks and submit to a background check. The spring semester begins January 2008 with programs in Downtown Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Norcross, Cobb County and North Fulton County. For more information about the JA Fellows program, visit www.jafellows.com. To become a volunteer or to enroll a student in the JA Fellows program, please email Audrey Treasure at atreasure@georgia.ja.org or call (404) 257-1932 ext. 219.

Founded locally in 1943, Junior Achievement of Georgia inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. With the support of business and community volunteers, JA brings award-winning economic programs to K-12 students in classroom, after-school, and corporate settings by offering hands-on real world experiences to students, opening their minds to their full potential. JA programs teach children about today’s economy, develop character skills, and reinforce the value of staying in school, ultimately driving the economic success of the state of Georgia. Headquartered in Atlanta, JA has five district offices located in Augusta, Columbus, Dalton, Gainesville and Savannah and reaches over 100,000 annually. For more information about Junior Achievement of Georgia, visit www.georgia.ja.org.