Where could a student in elementary, middle, or high school get a mentor that is a rocket scientist, a CEO, or highly paid professional?

In Junior Achievement, that’s where.

During my high school years in Orlando, JA had a program led by volunteers that helped students form companies, create business plans, manufacture a product, and sell it. They were small businesses in action.

My mentor/volunteers just happened to work at Cape Canaveral and Martin Marietta. A couple were business guys but others were actual rocket scientists.

We formed a couple of companies made up of 10-12 students each in my years with JA, manufactured some products, and sold them. Both companies were successful – we generated a profit. Each company competed against the other companies in the same program to try and make the most profit.

JA is still doing that program and many more. What I learned from JA got me started to think like an entrepreneur; made me a better employee during my careers at IBM, Motorola, and others; and I’m still using the fundamental principles taught by this remarkable organization in my consulting business, R. Michael Brown LLC.

Today I had a chance to take the Palm Beaches-Treasure Coast Junior Achievement staff through my Digital Marketing and PR 2.1 presentation.

Support this super organization and watch them grow as they continue to engage the market and help students!  Follow them on:

Website: http://www.juniorachievement.com

Facebook: http://goo.gl/lJ1UU

Twitter: @JAofPBTC

LinkedIn: http://goo.gl/60JK9