ADVISORS

 

Working alongside a team of business professionals, Company Program Advisors act as a business mentor, role model and facilitator for a group of 10-20 high school students. As a Company Program Advisor you will mentor and support an incredible group of students through an 18-week entrepreneurial journey to create, run and liquidate a real start-up business. Resources, training and support for all volunteers is provided by the JA Company Program team.

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The JA Company Program will operate in two models for the 2021-2022 year. The format will be determined at the beginning of the year and teams can choose to operate virtually with no in-person meetings required, or in a hybrid model where teams transition to in-person meetings if health guidelines allow.

 

For more information, including FAQs regarding the two models, please click here.

Meet our Students and Companies

WHY BECOME AN ADVISOR?

OBOT EGBO-EGBO

Advisor, 4 Years

JA has made an impact on my life because it allows me to give back to my community and to connect with the future leaders of tomorrow. It is amazing to see how the students grow year over year to become more confident in their skills, and to see their entrepreneurial spirit rise.  

BRENDAN HORAN

Advisor, 3 Years

For me, JA has shaped how I carry myself as a leader and given me invaluable self-confidence to be a leader within a team. JA has an impact that lasts a life time, thank you !”

MATT MEJASKI

Advisor, 5 Years

While the successes are fun and rewarding, the challenges to get there can be tough and exhausting!  I have seen many students show so much growth, accountability, learning, ownership, and leadership over the past four years, and I am extremely proud to know that I have helped make that happen.

Meet our Students and Companies
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ADVISOR QUALITIES

Volunteers don't need a particular background or area of expertise to be an effective Company Program Advisor - only a passion and willingness to support young people in an impactful way and the ability to foster teamwork. This year, we are also encouraging volunteers with expertise or knowledge in any areas related to digital product development (coding, digital design and marketing, e-commerce or entrepreneurship) to sign up.

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Mentors for Company Program are:

  • Dedicated to working with youth in a meaningful and impactful way

  • Have time, energy and expertise to give to others

  • Willing to tell their stories of failure and success

  • Are willing to share their knowledge and resources

  • Have the ability to facilitate student groups

  • Passionate about volunteering!

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COMMITMENT

The virtual Company Program runs for 18 weeks from November to April and breaks for holidays in December and exams in January.

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Volunteers should expect to dedicate 2 to 4 hours each week to the program which will include:

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  • 2 to 3 hours for full team meetings (set time each week)

  • 30 min to 1 hour available for small group mentoring & support (flexible scheduling & will vary by week)

  • 30 min to 1 hour for prep time and/or to answer student and JA inquiries (will vary by week)

 

Volunteers are asked to commit to attending at least 75% of the 18 week online sessions.

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Volunteers must also attend a mandatory virtual advisor training session in October.

 

Click Here for Advisor Overview

Click Here for Lead Advisor vs Advisor Description

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BENEFITS

Discover the benefits of becoming an advisor by clicking on the links below.

Inspire
Network
Grow
 
 

HOW TO REGISTER

  1. Click on the blue register button and enter your personal information

  2. Select your program - Select community volunteer if you don't have an assigned program upon registering

  3. Screening - JA will reach out to you regarding police screening if you are a new advisor and will contact your references

  4. Training - Attend a mandatory session

  5. Connect with your team - Meet with your advising team to prepare for the first meeting in November

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Note: Registration opens in September

You can pre-register here to receive registration updates

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the time commitment to be a volunteer for the Company Program?

Volunteers should expect to dedicate 2 to 4 hours each week to the program which will include:
- 2 to 3 hours for full team meetings (set time each week)
- 30 min to 1 hour available for small group mentoring & support (flexible scheduling & will vary by week)
- 30 min to 1 hour for prep time and/or to answer student and JA inquiries (will vary by week)
Volunteers are asked to commit to attending at least 75% of the 18 week sessions.
Volunteers must also attend a mandatory virtual advisor training session in October.



What if I have vacation planned or need to take a week off?

We understand that there may be times volunteers are unable to attend a session. We aim to get 5 to 10 advisors for each program so that there is a bit of flexibility to coordinate advisor schedules. If you need to be away for a week, as long as there are other advisors, it would be your responsibility to coordinate with your team. We have also scheduled some weeks off during the program to accommodate the winter holidays and student exams.



I am interested in getting my business/workplace involved in Company Program.

We are always looking to reach more students, businesses and volunteers in Central Ontario. Please reach out to our Company Program Manager, Lucia Ly at lly@jacentralontario.org for more information regarding hosting a Company Program.



Do I need to have any specific experience or expertise to volunteer?

Volunteers don't need a particular background or area of expertise to be an effective Company Program Advisor - only a passion and willingness to support young people in an impactful way and the ability to foster teamwork. This year, we are also encouraging volunteers with expertise or knowledge in any areas related to digital product development (coding, digital design and marketing, e-commerce or entrepreneurship) to sign up. We will provide you with the training, resources and support to deliver the program.
CP Advisors must complete a Vulnerable Sector Screening/Police Check and provide two references to participate in the program. Details and instructions will be provided at registration.



What is the difference between a Lead Advisor and Advisor?

The Lead Advisor (1-2 Lead Advisors) • Oversees the team of advisors • Supports the delivery and attribute to the overall success of the team • Corresponds between the sponsor, JA Company Program Manager, the advising team and students in their respective Company Programs. The Advisor (4-8 Advisors) • Acts as a business advisor/mentor, to a group of 10-20 high school students • Bestows personal experiences and knowledge to students • Supports the students to learn, organize and assemble information so that they can make sound business decisions Both Lead Advisors and Advisors are responsible for facilitating and leading each weekly session with students.



Do I need to complete a vulnerable sector screening / police check?

All volunteers (Lead Advisor and Advisor) must be registered and complete the volunteer screening requirements – we will reach out to all volunteers once they have registered online to follow up on screening requirements.



How do the virtual and hybrid models work?

Learn more about two models here.



 
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