Junior Achievement Partners with Muhlenberg College to Host Lehigh Valley High School Symposium on October 14, 2011

2011 Career Pathways Event Anticipates Hundreds Attending a Day of Skill Building, Professional Mentoring, and Networking

 Friday, October 14, 2011 09:58 AM


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Allentown, PA – Junior Achievement will hold the first of two Annual Lehigh Valley Symposium for area high school students on October 14, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Muhlenberg College.  The Muhlenberg event expects to draw more than 200 attendees from Lehigh Valley school districts and employers. 

The Career Symposium is a fast-paced day of young people exploring career options and making plans for life beyond high school, and business leaders who are proactively supporting their success.  It is one of the biggest opportunities for students in the Lehigh Valley to sharpen their understanding of how education connects to career opportunities in the region, gain insight into the career pathways being created by the success of the region’s leading employers, build community with like-minded peers, and create mentoring relationships with area professionals who model success and serve as guides along the path from classroom-to-career.   

Muhlenberg College returns as host for the 2011 Symposium series.

"Muhlenberg College is happy to host the symposium again this year.  Junior Achievement's intentional focus on future planning and opportunity creation for young people fits well with many of the local partnerships Muhlenberg College is deeply engaged in.  This is a wonderful way to, literally, open the college's doors to local youth," said Eveily Freeman, Associate Director of Community Engagement at Muhlenberg College.

Terry Lanski of D&B chairs this year’s event.  D&B is a leading sponsor of Junior Achievement’s programs and activities in Allentown.  Pearson Publishers is also a symposium sponsor.  Students attending the Career Symposium will participate in a series of workshops and panel discussions facilitated by volunteers from the health care, financial services, manufacturing, energy, technology, and education industries.  Building a powerful personal brand is the central them of the 2011 Symposium. 

“Today’s student negotiates a hyper-competitive environment.  Every opportunity, from gaining admission to a top program or school to landing a coveted internship or co-op, requires them to find ways to differentiate themselves from their peers and represent their ability to make unique contributions,” said Ernest Perry, President & CEO of Junior Achievement.  “Junior Achievement has emphasized the importance of personal brands to young people through our Success Skills program for many years.  This year’s symposium raises the profile of this important idea, and provides students with resources to help them transition from high school, to postsecondary education, to leader in the Lehigh Valley’s economic development plan with the benefit of a powerful personal narrative.”

The even'ts keynote addresses by Kim Richmond, Principal at Richmond Marking and Communications and Adjunct Faculty at St. Joespeh's University, Haub School of Business will underscore this teme for the day's attendees. Richmond has served as senior marketing executive for companies such as FAO Schwartz, Kraft Foods, and Sears to name a few. She is also the author of the best selling guidebook for personal branding strategies, Brady You. Richmond, and Pearson Publishers, will provide copies of the book for every student who attends.

About Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement is the largest and fastest growing entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy education provider in the world. Junior Achievement of Greater Reading and Lehigh Valley is committed to providing students in our region with learning experiences that provide them with an understanding of the economy, and develop the leadership and skills required to succeed in life.   In the past decade, Junior Achievement has helped educate more than 100,000 students in Eastern Pennsylvania.

For More Information Contact:
Ernest Perry, President & CEO
Junior Achievement of Greater Reading & Lehigh Valley
610.373.3500
[email protected]