Education for What’s Next: Powering Economic Mobility
Author: Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
Published:
Thursday, 29 Jan 2026
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Image caption: JA Student
The JA Story
What’s next? It’s the question on everyone’s mind. Technologies we’ve never seen before are reshaping the world in ways we never imagined. Jobs people rely on today may not exist tomorrow. Automation and artificial intelligence are transforming entire industries, and with that transformation comes uncertainty.
Are we ready? And if not, how do we get ready?
The Promise Has Changed
For generations, there was a clear formula for success: Graduate high school. Earn a degree. Secure a stable job. Build a good life. But today, that promise is no longer guaranteed.
Nearly 40% of today’s job skills are expected to become outdated within the next five years. At the same time, economic mobility in the U.S.—the ability to do better than the generation before—has declined significantly. Even a college degree may not be enough, as more than one-third of graduates are underemployed, working in roles that don’t require their education or provide a living wage.
The path forward isn’t broken; it’s evolving. And education must evolve with it.
Education for What’s Next™
At Junior Achievement, we are committed to finding answers.
As a strategic partner working alongside educators, employers, investors, and communities, we help students achieve academically today and economically tomorrow. With more than a century of experience in experiential learning, we’re driving lasting change by connecting education to real-world opportunities. We call this approach Education for What’s Next™.
It’s not about teaching isolated subjects. It’s about preparing students for life. Because education matters, not just for what students know, but for what they can do.
Aligning Education with Opportunity
For more than a decade, leaders have talked about preparing for the “Future of Work.” But today, that future is no longer theoretical, it’s here.
AI, automation, and globalization are already changing how work happens. Those unprepared risk being left behind. Junior Achievement meets this moment as a strategic education partner, aligning learning with workforce realities.
By working together with schools, employers, and communities, we:
- Enrich classrooms with real-world experiences
- Embed career-connected learning into curriculum
- Co-design future-ready education systems
We don’t just supplement education; we help transform it.
Creating Opportunity at Scale
Every student deserves a future filled with choices and opportunity—regardless of zip code, background, or circumstance.
Through career-connected learning, we unlock potential and accelerate mobility at scale. We ensure students aren’t just prepared for their first job—but for a lifetime of change, growth, and possibility.
By helping students become confident, capable, competent, and connected today,
we ensure they have access to opportunity-filled futures tomorrow.
The world is changing. Education must change with it. Together, we are shaping the future of economic mobility.
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