Volunteer Spotlight – JA Future Pathways
At last week’s Junior Achievement Future Pathways event, we had the chance to sit down with two of our dedicated volunteers: Daniel and Kaden, seniors in the honors finance cohort at The Ohio State University. Throughout the day, they met with 10th and 11th grade students who are just beginning to imagine what their futures might look like. The conversations were candid, curious, and full of the kind of advice you wish someone had given you at that age. Here’s what they shared about the experience and about guiding the next generation as they navigate big questions, early ambitions, and the uncertainty that comes with being young.
Daniel: Hi, I’m Daniel. I’m a senior at Ohio State and I’m a Finance manager.
Kaden: Hello, I’m Kaden. I’m also a senior finance major at Ohio State.
Daniel: We’re both in the honors finance cohort at Ohio State and we have the pleasure of coming here today to talk to the students through the Junior Achievement Future Pathways program and it’s been a great time. [The students] have had some great questions. They’re very inquisitive and it’s been mostly about finance and business, but also just how to adjust to college. These are 10th and 11th graders, they don’t necessarily know what they want to do with their lives yet and that’s OK. So, we’re here for them to answer any questions about adjusting to life or to give general advice.
Kaden: I think the biggest piece of advice [we’ve given] has been making sure you’re passionate about what you’re doing and working hard at. We’ve emphasized that if you’re just doing the bare minimum, it’s very easy to blend into the crowd. But doing any extra work, showing any extra passion will really help elevate you and get people engaged in your journey and [wanting] to help you out. In any path you’re taking, you’re going to need the support of people around you or people that have gone before you.
Daniel: That’s great advice. We’ve also given the advice to care about what you do and care about people. When you’re pursuing an endeavor, be passionate. That’s how it’s the most fulfilling for yourself. And [doing this,] you also get the most help from the people there to support you. Don’t be scared to ask questions. Like when we’re young kids, we don’t necessarily know everything, but we know something might interest us and we’re scared to ask questions. Don’t. Have the confidence people are there to help you. There are support systems in place to help you. Just have the confidence to reach out and ask questions and find what you’re passionate about. Find what you’re interested in and pursue it relentlessly. Don’t just do, like Kaden said, the minimum. Go find what you’re interested in and learn everything about it. You’re young, you have the time, you have the people who are there to help you. And so that that’s been a lot of what we’ve been talking about.
Hearing Daniel and Kaden speak so openly about curiosity, passion, and the courage to ask questions is a reminder of what mentorship is really about. It’s not about having every answer, it’s about creating space for students to explore their interests, discover their strengths, and step into their potential with confidence. We’re grateful for volunteers who show up with honesty, empathy, and a genuine desire to support the next generation. Their perspectives make programs like Junior Achievement Future Pathways not just valuable, but transformative.
