Indiana Pork proudly participated in this year’s Junior Achievement JobSpark program, with one session held in Indianapolis and one session held in Fort Wayne. The two events combined to welcome nearly 20,000 students from over 100 schools across central Indiana and the Fort Wayne area.

The programs provided eighth-grade students with hands-on opportunities to explore careers in high-demand industries in the following career clusters: Architecture, Engineering & Construction; Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources; Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, & Logistics; Business & Finance; Government, Law & Public Service; Health & Life Sciences; Hospitality & Tourism; and Technology.

Indiana Pork recently surveyed 468 Indiana youth, ages 13-18, who told us pursuing a career in agriculture ranked 5th out of the 18 career opportunities presented. Because JobSpark targets 8th graders, who fall in the 13-14 year-old age bracket, JobSpark was a good way to showcase careers in the pork industry. Indiana Pork hosted an engaging exhibit to showcase the wide range of careers available. Activities at the Indiana Pork booth included:

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“Participating in JA JobSpark was an incredible opportunity to connect with students and show them the innovative and rewarding careers that agriculture offers,” said Micah Render, chair of the Indiana Pork youth committee. “With over 20,000 students participating, we’re optimistic about inspiring the next generation of leaders who will carry Indiana’s pork production forward.”

Indiana Pork’s presence at JA JobSpark demonstrated its commitment to education and workforce development, emphasizing the crucial role of pork production in Indiana’s economy. Indiana Pork aims to ensure students see the pork industry as a forward-thinking and essential part of their communities, as well as a viable career opportunity.