Cincinnati Career Association (CCA)

The JCG Career Association is an in-school student led association that enhances learning of basic skills: reading, communicating through speaking, writing, and math. The Career Association allows members to practice teamwork, leadership, planning and responsibility skills. The group structure provides each student with a feeling of belonging and membership to a special and positive “club,” that keeps them engaged in school and moving in a positive direction.

All JCG youth are members of the JCG Career Association for their grade level. They elect officers and committees to plan and implement their activities, including at least one service learning activity. Service learning activities are designed to promote the importance of giving back to their schools and communities, and as practice for future career skills. The Career Specialist acts as the advisor, but the students carry out the service work.

Collaboration with community organizations, such as Hoxworth Blood Center, Hamilton County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Lens Crafters, Muscular Dystrophy, UC Institute for Community Partnerships on Service Learning and with Greater Cincinnati Human Resources Association is a key element of the service activities.

Initiation and Installation Ceremony (I&I)

The I&I ceremony is the launching of the Career Association within each school. It is held in the beginning of the school year. Each school hosts its’ own I&I ceremony and determines the ceremony format. The event varies between schools and can be a breakfast, luncheon or evening event. The primary activity of the ceremony is the induction of all JCG students into the Cincinnati Career Association (CCA)  and the installation of Cincinnati Career Association officers, which come from the junior and senior classes.

For most JCG students, this is their first experience with a democratic peer election process and an induction ceremony. This event has a significant impact on the value each student places on their own participation in JCG, as well as, later adult participation in community and civic life.

Leadership Development Conference (LDC)

The purpose of the Leadership Development Conference is to bring together officers across all schools and teach them how to be an officer, a leader, and a participant in the election of officers. The Conference takes place in November at Norwood High School. Each JCG senior class program has 6-7 officers and approximately 60 students participate in the conference. The format includes registration and continental breakfast, opening remarks, keynote speakers, officer training workshops, election and installation of officers, and lunch. As part of the election process, students campaign and give speeches before other students. This formatenhances the leadership training of this activity.  Citywide officers are elected by their peers.

The citywide officer positions are President, Vice-President of Leadership Development, Secretary, Coordinator of Civic Affairs, Coordinator of Social Affairs, and Coordinator of Career Preparation. The citywide leadership team meets, once a month on Saturday mornings, to discuss upcoming events and activities. Citywide officers are responsible for planning and coordinating the annual spring Career Development Conference and luncheon.

School Competitions

School competitions are held each April just prior to the Career Development Conference.  Junior and senior JCG students compete in 10 competitive events. The events are reflective of the skills and knowledge that the students have gained throughout the school year. The ten competitive event areas are: Employment Application, Cover Design, Decision Making, Employment Testing, Interviewing, Public Speaking, Students for Community Service, Telephone Interviewing Techniques, Team Challenge and Visual Display. 

 Career Development Conference (CDC)

The spring Career Development Conference is the culmination of the Career Association program and is attended by JCG junior and senior students. It is a half day conference that includes workshops on job preparation skills, a Job Fair, a luncheon with a keynote speaker, and an awards ceremony. The year’s work of citywide officers is recognized and the winners of the competitions are announced. Trophy’s are awarded to first, second and third place winners. First place winners in the ten competitive categories go onto compete on a State level, at the State Career Development Conference in Columbus.