Junior Achievement Gives Houston Teens an Opportunity To Be Entrepreneurs

JA Company Trade Fair Open to Public on December 4 from 12 noon – 5 p.m. at Memorial City Mall

HOUSTON, Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to the Junior Achievement 2010 Teens and Entrepreneurship Survey sponsored by Sam's Club, six-in-ten Houston teens would like to start their own businesses someday.  The local companion poll also found that two-thirds (67 percent) of those teens believe that entrepreneurial skills should be taught in school.  

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Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas is responding to these findings by offering entrepreneurship education for high school students.  Through hands-on activities and the support of a volunteer, Junior Achievement programs like the JA Company Program and student competitions like the JA Company Program Trade Fair, are designed specifically to help students learn how to start and operate their own business ventures.

On Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 12 noon - 5 p.m. at Memorial City Mall, Houston-area students from more than 15 high schools will take part in a student competition known as the JA Company Trade Fair, by selling products they have designed and manufactured to the general public. The students will be judged on their trade booth display and business presentations. One of the competition's goals is to measure each team's business achievements with members' individual personal development and knowledge.

The 2010 JA Company Trade Fair will take place in the mall common area by the Cinemark Memorial City Theatre on the second floor outside the box office. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information about the 2010 JA Company Trade Fair, contact Rachel Winebrenner at 713.682.4500 or rwinebrenner@jahouston.org.

"According to a study by Gallup for Junior Achievement, 95 percent of individuals responsible for hiring decisions at their companies surveyed said that it was important for the American workforce to become more entrepreneurial to remain competitive in a global economy," said Rick Franke , president of Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas. "The JA Company Program Trade Fair is an opportunity for student entrepreneurs to demonstrate the teamwork, leadership and innovative thinking that will help them drive future success in the business world."

For more information about the poll or study, contact Kevin R. Hattery at khattery@jahouston.org or visit http://houston.ja.org.  

SOURCE Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas

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