Meet Our Summer Intern, Josiah Everage
This summer, Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans had the pleasure of welcoming Josiah Everage, a rising senior at Eleanor McMain Secondary School, through the YouthForce NOLA Summer Internship Program. Over five weeks, Josiah became an important part of the JA team, supporting students at JA BizTown, assisting with photography and marketing projects, and jumping in wherever help was needed.
For Josiah, the internship was an opportunity to experience a professional workplace while continuing to develop the leadership skills he already demonstrates as a student-athlete. A football player who enjoys spending time with friends and trying new things, he will return to school this fall with a clearer vision for his future.
After graduating high school, Josiah plans to attend a four-year university and pursue a career in workforce development or workforce management. "I enjoy helping people and developing workplace skills," he said, a goal that aligns naturally with Junior Achievement's mission of preparing young people for successful futures.
Although the internship included marketing and communications projects, Josiah says his favorite part of the summer was working directly with students in JA BizTown.
"My favorite part of the internship was helping in JA BizTown and getting to work with everyone," he shared. "Everyone was welcoming, easy to talk to, and made the internship a great experience."
His supervisor in JA BizTown, Suzanne Rabalais, quickly discovered that Josiah brought much more than a willingness to learn. She described him as a natural problem solver who never hesitated to step in wherever he was needed. Whether assisting students during JA BizTown simulations, helping with photography, or tackling unexpected tasks, Josiah approached each day with initiative, professionalism, and a positive attitude.
That willingness to embrace new challenges became one of the biggest lessons Josiah took away from the experience.
"This summer, I learned that I can adjust well to new environments and become comfortable in unfamiliar situations," he said.
He also credits much of his work ethic to his father.
"The biggest influence in my life has been my father because he challenges me mentally every day and pushes me to be my best."
As his internship came to a close, Josiah reflected on the confidence he gained over the past several weeks.
"Overall, I'm thankful for the opportunity to intern with JA. It has helped me grow, build confidence, and learn skills that will benefit me in the future."
Internships like this one demonstrate the power of connecting young people with meaningful, hands-on workplace experiences. Through YouthForce NOLA's Summer Internship Program, students don't simply observe professionals—they become valued members of the team, develop durable workplace skills, and begin building the confidence needed for future careers.
We are grateful to YouthForce NOLA for making this partnership possible and thankful to Josiah for the enthusiasm, curiosity, and strong work ethic he brought to Junior Achievement this summer. We look forward to seeing where his future takes him.