Set in the year 2030, JA Titan creates a world in which students are CEO's of their own companies. During simulation play, students must run a manufacturing company and master five key business decidisons: price of product, production levels, marketing expenses, research and development costs and capital investment levels. Various corporate assistants(simulations) and a business volunteer advise the students through each phase or "quarter" of the simulation.
The Volunteer Role
A volunteer from the business community works with the students to provide guidance and leadership throughout the duration of their simulated business. Ideally the volunteer will share his/her expertise and experience with the students while helping to deliver the program through the material provided by Junior Achievement. The role of the volunteer includes the following:
- facilitate 6 weekly sessions (typically 1 and 1/2 hours each)
- set up simulation games for the students
- bring practical business experience to the program to reinforce the theories being demonstrated
- help the students to understand objectives, create strategies, think critically and develop presentation skills
- help teach the students about business and the enterprise system while simultaneously allowing them to develop skills they can use later in their personal and professional lives
Volunteer Benefits
Junior Achievements volunteers will tell you, "You gain far more than you give." In addition to the personal satisfaction of knowing that a significant contribution has been made to the futures of the young people who are involved in the project, the volunteer benefits include:
- increased and improved skills in the areas of communication (both oral and written),time management and organizational abilities
- understanding and appreciation of today's youth through invaluable interaction
- an enlarged sense of community and social responsibility.
In short, if you invest time with Junior Achievement, you will return to work refreshed and invigorated, with your own leadership skills improved. Equally important, you will gain great satisfaction knowing that you have fostered a positive relationship between youth and business.
