Education for What’s Next: How Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts Prepares Students for a Changing World
The world of work is changing faster than ever.
Technology, automation, and generative AI are transforming industries across the country, including right here in Southern Massachusetts. Today’s students are stepping into a future that looks very different from the past.
The World Economic Forum predicts that 39% of today’s skills will be outdated within just five years, driven largely by advances in AI and shifting workforce demands.
At Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts, our mission is to ensure that young people graduate not only academically ready, but economically ready. That means equipping students with the confidence, real-world skills, and networks they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
The Future of Work Is Already Here
For years, educators and workforce leaders have talked about the “Future of Work.” It is no longer a distant concept. It is happening now.
Generative AI is already reshaping job roles, and many entry-level career pathways are evolving quickly. Some jobs are already being eliminated or restructured due to technology’s growing influence.
The Link Between Education and Economic Mobility
One of the most important takeaways from the whitepaper is that these changes do not just impact jobs. They impact opportunity.
Economic mobility, the ability to do as well or better than the generation before you, has declined 45% in recent decades.
Decades ago, a high school diploma could lead to stable work and a strong standard of living. Today, even college does not guarantee economic stability. More than one-third of college graduates are considered underemployed, working jobs that do not require a degree.
That is why helping students make informed career decisions and develop real, transferable skills is more critical than ever.
What Students Need to Succeed Next
Research indicates that by 2031, 70% of jobs will require education or training beyond high school.
But preparation is not only about college. It is about building a foundation for long-term success.
Four life experiences have the biggest impact on lifetime earnings:
- Completing secondary education
- Graduating with a degree in a high-paying field
- Receiving mentorship during adolescence
- Landing a first full-time job with advancement potential
Junior Achievement’s programming is built to support these same drivers of success by delivering career-connected learning experiences that reach students early and build momentum over time.
Junior Achievement’s Approach: Confident, Capable, Competent, Connected
At Junior Achievement, we believe every student deserves a future filled with choices and opportunities.
Through experiential learning, JA helps students:
- Build confidence by shaping mindsets that spark belief in their potential
- Gain capability by developing transferable skills for a changing world
- Show competence by reinforcing behaviors through applied learning and achievement
- Get connected by expanding access to mentors, networks, and opportunity
This framework matters especially in Southern Massachusetts, where the workforce is diverse and rapidly evolving. Students need to be prepared not just for their first job, but for a future where careers will shift, reskill, and evolve multiple times.
Why This Matters for Southern Massachusetts
Southern Massachusetts is home to hardworking communities, thriving small businesses, growing healthcare and manufacturing industries, and expanding regional innovation.
But access to opportunity is not always equal.
Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts works to close that gap by bringing career-connected education into schools and communities. The goal is to ensure students gain early exposure to real-world business concepts, workforce skills, financial literacy, and mentorship relationships.
The mission is simple: unlock potential and accelerate mobility at scale, so students can build a future that is not limited by their ZIP code.
See the Full Whitepaper
Want to explore the full research and insights behind this discussion?
Download the whitepaper and explore the path forward in 2026:
https://bit.ly/44ZOOuD
Help Us Equip Students for What’s Next
The future is changing. The right education can help students stay ahead of it.
