Local High School Recognized for Going Beyond Classroom Learning With AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative

ATLANTA, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- With nearly one-third of U.S. high school students dropping out every year, North Atlanta High School located in Atlanta, Georgia is taking action by offering students a chance to team up with AT&T* employees and participate in the AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative. The initiative is a joint effort between AT&T and Junior Achievement in which AT&T employees help students connect classroom learning to real life opportunities.

In spring 2010, 76 students visited an AT&T corporate site to learn about careers and develop an understanding of the educational background and skills they will need to succeed in the workplace.

As a result of their participation and enthusiasm for the learning experience, Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets and Chairman of the JA Worldwide Board of Directors, will visit the school on Thursday, September 30, to address the students in a motivational presentation and then have lunch with the Junior Achievement students.

"I believe that education is the foundation of success and no one can take it away from you, no matter what happens," said Ralph de la Vega. "I care deeply about the future success of our youth and greatly appreciate spending time with students and sharing my own story in hopes of inspiring them."

As part of the job shadow initiative, students received complimentary copies of de la Vega's book Obstacles Welcome, in which he describes his experiences as a Cuban immigrant in the United States, the importance of education and his advancement through business to become a top executive at AT&T.

North Atlanta High School was chosen for the special visit from de la Vega for its strong interest level in the AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative and high response rate of students who commented on the impact of de la Vega's own personal story and overcoming the odds.  

"The commitment of North Atlanta High School to its students extends far beyond the classroom. We also want to see them succeed in life," said Lorraine Bowen, North Atlanta High School International Business & Marketing Teacher.  "Through the AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative we are able to offer them an impactful experience that can broaden their scope of future opportunities."

As Junior Achievement's largest corporate job shadow initiative to date, AT&T and JA are committed to reaching 100,000 high school students with the program over five years. Since the $5.5 million job shadow initiative began in 2008, the program has reached more than 50,000 students in 206 cities.

"Reports evaluating students who participate in the AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative show that the initiative is making a significant impact and changing attitudes about staying in school," said Jerrod Compton, Manager of Capstone Programs for Junior Achievement of Georgia. "At JA our focus is to help students understand the importance of education to help prepare them to effectively enter the workforce and compete with their peers from all over the world, and we applaud North Atlanta High School's commitment to the initiative."  

AT&T's commitment to job shadow is part of AT&T Aspire, a $100 million initiative to address high school success and workforce readiness. Aspire is AT&T's most significant education initiative to date, and one of the largest ever corporate commitments to address the specific issues of high school success and workforce readiness.

For more information about the AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative, please visit www.att.com/jobshadow.

* AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine. 

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About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2009, more than $155 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

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About Junior Achievement® (JA)

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students which focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Today, 129 individual area operations reach more than four million students in the United States, with an additional 5.7 million students served by operations in 122 other countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org.  

SOURCE AT&T Inc.