Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida Virtual Career Fair Empowers Thousands of Local Students

FORT MYERS, Fla. – December 9, 2025 – On November 6, 2025, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida hosted its annual Virtual JA Inspire event for students in the School District of Lee County. This program aims to familiarize 8th-grade students with the workforce demands of our region's rapidly growing industries. This year’s live virtual event saw a 23% increase in participation, with 4,784 eighth graders logging on via a powerful career exploration platform. Following the event, the platform remains open for a full six months, providing access to all 6,741 8th-grade students in the School District of Lee County to continue exploring career options for future planning.

Comments from students poured in after the event, igniting excitement about what the future holds. "I learned that there are many, many more options for jobs than I knew about. My interests and hobbies connect to more careers than I realized,” said one student. Another added, "There are so many different paths you can take. You have options, and what you prefer can change throughout your life."

“These are the moments that shape confidence, spark curiosity, and open doors to new possibilities,” said Angela Fisher, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. “We are grateful to the School District of Lee County, our dedicated educators, and our incredible business partners for helping students imagine what’s possible. These experiences exemplify our commitment to providing valuable opportunities for all students, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed for future success in the workforce.”

For more information about Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida and its programs, please visit www.jaswfl.org.