Vancouver, BC – August 21, 2024 – JA British Columbia (JABC) is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Pick My Brain, an online platform and community that empowers individuals and companies to exchange knowledge and expertise in innovative ways. Together, we have launched a new platform that connects youth in classrooms with industry professionals who can inspire and guide them: JABC Pick My Brain.
This initiative empowers educators across British Columbia by providing easy access to a diverse pool of engaging guest speakers, all of whom are screened and trained JABC volunteers. Thanks to the generosity of JABC donors, JABC Pick My Brain is provided completely free of charge, allowing B.C. teachers and youth group leaders to discover, select, and schedule virtual career talks led by these volunteers. The speakers will share their career journeys and educational experiences, offering invaluable insights to help students explore and shape their own career aspirations.
“We are excited to partner with Pick My Brain and introduce a new, dynamic approach to sharing our volunteers’ expertise with students across B.C.,” said Deborah Wakeham, Interim CEO of JABC. “Together, we aim to enhance educational experiences and foster meaningful connections among volunteers, educators, and youth.”
The program offers flexibility to accommodate diverse classroom and youth group schedules, with sessions ranging from 30 to 60 minutes. Whether it’s a talk with an accountant or a successful entrepreneur, educators can tailor the experience to suit their curriculum and students’ interests.
“What if all 85 million teachers worldwide had easy access to book unique professionals from around the globe to share their life stories, career insights, and educational journeys with students? Think of the possibilities—millions of perspectives enriching classrooms and countless real-world applications being explored, one conversation at a time,” said Maxine Cunningham, CEO & Founder of Pick My Brain.
Leveraging the dedication of our current JABC volunteers, who are committed to inspiring youth, this program is set to positively impact career education in British Columbia. By fostering meaningful connections between classrooms and the wider world, this initiative aims to inspire the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders.
The launch of JABC Pick My Brain is generously supported by Jean-Pierre and Kate LeBlanc, and Keith and Sheryl Spencer.
“We are donating to JABC Pick My Brain because it offers a wonderful opportunity to support a promising new start-up, an amazing non-profit organization, and our youth,” said Jean-Pierre and Kate LeBlanc. “This innovative initiative connects students with experts, creating invaluable learning experiences and driving positive change for everyone involved.”
Long-time supporters of JABC, Keith and Sheryl Spencer, said, “We choose to support JABC Pick My Brain because it aligns with JABC’s mission and harnesses the power of technology to transform student learning. It’s exciting to see how technology can make a positive and tangible difference in their academic journey.”
For more information, visit jabc.org/about-jabc-pmb and view the platform at jabc.org/pmb.
ABOUT JA BRITISH COLUMBIA
JA British Columbia (JABC) is a not-for-profit impact organization that delivers free hands-on, immersive education in work readiness, financial health, and entrepreneurship. Reaching thousands of young people each year through partnerships with educators, volunteers, donors, and sponsors, JABC is one of the few organizations with the experience and passion to build a brighter future for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
For over 65 years, JABC has served B.C. youth, including Indigenous communities, people of colour, and at-risk populations. JABC’s real-world training helps young people develop the skills to build successful careers, prepare for the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship, and learn to thrive financially. Through JA, young people are equipped with the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities. JABC is a proud member of JA Canada and JA Worldwide, one of the world’s largest and most impactful NGOs. Learn more at jabc.org
ABOUT PICK MY BRAIN
Pick My Brain is an online platform and community that makes it easy and fun for smart and interesting people and companies to buy, sell, share and gift their knowledge worldwide in new and creative ways on their own independent terms. The main features of the platform are profiles, a booking system, payments, calendar/scheduling, smart programmable contracts and a searchable marketplace. Learn more at pickmybrain.world
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