Years Participating in JA Company Program: 2019-2022
Company Program school: Citadel High School
What are you doing now?
I’m currently a university student going into my fourth year this fall at Bryant University in Rhode Island, where I’m studying Business Administration, majoring in Marketing and minoring in Communications. I just finished a six-week study abroad program in Seoul, South Korea, which was an incredible experience both academically and culturally. It gave me a global perspective on business and marketing, and allowed me to step outside my comfort zone while exploring a completely new environment.
What skills did you develop in JA that you still use today?
JA helped me develop leadership, time management, and communication skills, all of which have been incredibly valuable in both my academic and professional experiences. The program also taught me how to think creatively and work effectively in teams. In my final year, I had the opportunity to serve as President of our JA company, which pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me grow as a person. It taught me how to lead with confidence, make tough decisions, and support my team, experiences that continue to shape who I am today.
What advice would you give to your younger self or current JA students?
Take every opportunity to get involved and try something new. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. JA is the perfect environment to explore, fail, learn, and grow. Looking back, some of the most valuable lessons I learned came from taking risks, making mistakes, and figuring things out along the way. Whether it’s speaking up in meetings, taking on a leadership role, or pitching an idea you’re not sure will work, go for it. JA gives you a unique chance to build real-world skills in a supportive space, use that to your advantage, and trust that you’re more capable than you think.
Please share a memory you have from JA Nova Scotia.
One of my favourite memories from JA Nova Scotia was our weekly meetings. I always looked forward to getting together with my team to work on our product. Whether we were brainstorming ideas, solving problems, or assembling things, it was a fun and collaborative environment. There was always great energy in the room, and even when we were working hard, we were laughing and enjoying the process. Those meetings made the experience feel less like a program and more like a group of friends building something meaningful together.