JA Inspires seeks to connect schools and guest speakers so that students can engage with, and be inspired by, role models from a variety of careers and industries.
JA Inspires enables volunteers to share their career story and engage in Q & A with students in schools across Ireland (with priority given to DEIS schools).
Each individual’s story is personal and each volunteer is asked to share insights, including the highs/lows, which are part of each career journey.
Sharing stories is one of the most powerful means by which we can influence, teach, and inspire.
By providing personal insights, storytellers create a sense of connection and build familiarity and trust. Listeners get involved in the story, and are more open to learning. Unique and personal storytelling can have a significant impact especially as it resonates with all types of learners – visual learners appreciate the mental pictures storytelling evokes, auditory learners can focus on the words and the storyteller’s voice and kinaesthetic learners pick up on emotional connections and the feelings conveyed in an individual’s personal experience.
Speakers are invited to align themselves with one of our four themes: Entrepreneurship, Employability, Financial Literacy & the value of studying STEM. The goal is to help the students realise that many of the skills they are acquiring and practicing at school are recognised as fundamental to successful careers. Skills such as communication, collaboration and creativity. For a longer term view, it is important that they come to appreciate that not every career follows a linear path and in fact more often than not, a variety of avenues and roles are explored as careers develop and evolve. Speakers will underline that developing resiliency, and fundamental skills like good team working, along with a commitment to lifelong learning are of incalculable value.
