On April 6, more than 40 Conestoga Business Administration - Financial Planning students volunteered their time at Clemens Mills Public School in Cambridge to deliver a Junior Achievement program, Economics for Success (EFS), to 250 grade 7 and 8 students.
Students in Conestoga's Business Administration - Financial Planning advanced diploma program volunteered their time to deliver Junior Achievement's Economics for Success program to 250 elementary students on April 6. Photo credit: Junior Achievement Waterloo
Junior Achievement is the largest youth business education organization in Canada, serving students from coast to coast. The organization works in partnership with educators, volunteers and businesses to educate students about financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship so they can succeed in a global economy.
“At the end of the day, I felt like I really made an impact on the students. Economics for Success educates students about their future in regards to career choices, post-secondary education, job readiness, and goal setting and strategies to achieve their goals,” explained Aline Philavong, a Financial Planning student involved in delivery of the program. “I feel like the students really took in what was being taught and how it would impact them later on in life. I felt like I connected with the students, and they really enjoyed having us in the classroom.”
Conestoga first delivered the EFS program in November 2016 when more than 30 Financial Planning students worked with 200 elementary students at Woodland Park Public School in Cambridge. It was the largest single day delivery of the program in 2016.
“This was a wonderful opportunity for elementary students to learn key life skills from college students,” said Conestoga professor Dave Kohler. “The high level of engagement and enthusiasm on the part of both groups was exciting to observe. Everyone came away richer for the interaction. Today's young people are much better informed, yet they can benefit from opportunities to discuss and apply that knowledge to real life situations. Partnering with Junior Achievement was an opportunity for them to do exactly that, and the skills learned and reinforced today will benefit them for a lifetime.”
Conestoga offers a variety of financial planning and business programs, including diploma, degree and post-graduate options. Visit the School of Business website for more information.