Junior Achievement and YouthForce NOLA Connect Summer Interns with Real-World Career and Financial Advice
As nearly 200 YouthForce NOLA Internship participants enter summer internships across the region, they are also gaining something equally valuable: direct access to professionals willing to share their experiences, advice, and lessons learned along the way.
This summer, YouthForce NOLA and Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans partnered to host two interactive panel discussions designed to help high school interns better understand both the world of work and the financial decisions that come with adulthood.
Together, the Industry Professionals Panel and Financial Literacy Panel connected students with leaders from healthcare, technology, construction, finance, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community organizations. Through candid conversations and student-led questions, interns gained insight into the many paths that can lead to successful careers and financial independence.
The Industry Professionals Panel brought together professionals representing a wide range of career fields, exposing interns to opportunities they may not have previously considered. Panelists included Dr. Kelly Baquet, Nurse Practitioner at The Clinic NOLA; Ari Booth, Talent Attraction Manager at RNGD; Nicole Creshon-Davis, Senior Software Engineer at iSeatz; Bryant K. Hawkins, Sr. of Manning Family Children's and Trimedx; and Alexis Walker, Membership and Events Manager for the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce. The sessions were moderated by Junior Achievement's Courtney Smith and Micaela Schlichenmeyer, with opening remarks from YouthForce NOLA's Jon Cosper.
Throughout the discussion, panelists shared stories about the winding paths that led them to their current roles, the challenges they faced along the way, and the lessons they wished they had learned sooner. Interns heard firsthand about opportunities in healthcare, technology, skilled trades, workforce development, and business leadership while learning that career journeys rarely follow a straight line.
Panelists emphasized the importance of communication, professionalism, adaptability, teamwork, and lifelong learning. They encouraged students to remain curious, seek out mentors, ask questions, and take advantage of opportunities even when they fall outside their original plans.
The Financial Literacy Panel shifted the conversation toward one of the most important transitions many interns will soon face: managing their finances as they prepare for life after high school.
Panelists included Lauren Fontainelle and Linda Rodriguez of Fifth District Savings Bank, Joshua Hughes of EPIC Federal Credit Union, Andrea Ewalefo of Modern Lady Vibes, and Nic Abington, Chief Financial Officer of Unspace. Moderated by Micaela Schlichenmeyer of Junior Achievement, the panel provided students with practical guidance on budgeting, saving, banking, credit, and long-term financial planning.
Through personal stories and real-world examples, panelists discussed topics ranging from opening savings accounts and building credit to managing expenses, avoiding financial pitfalls, and preparing for major life purchases. Interns asked thoughtful questions about credit scores, financial goals, and how to make smart decisions as they transition into adulthood.
What made both events especially powerful was the opportunity for interns to engage directly with professionals through extended question-and-answer sessions. Students stepped up to the microphone, introduced themselves, and asked questions ranging from career advancement and college planning to investing, credit management, and workplace success.
The conversations reinforced a key goal shared by YouthForce NOLA and Junior Achievement: helping young people see themselves in future careers while also developing the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate life's financial decisions.
For many interns, the panels offered more than information. They provided access to professionals who were willing to be honest about their own experiences, share lessons learned, and encourage students to pursue ambitious goals.
As interns continue their summer training and internship experiences, the lessons shared by these professionals will extend far beyond the classroom. By connecting young people with role models, mentors, and practical advice, YouthForce NOLA and Junior Achievement are helping ensure that students are not only prepared for their internships but are also building the foundation for long-term career and financial success. To learn more about Future Connect programs, visit https://www.jagno.org/future-connect.