More than 400 high school students and nearly 60 employers across Iowa participated in the
annual Iowa Career Development Conference (CDC) presented by The Wellmark Foundation. The
event was hosted by Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) at Iowa State University in Ames
on March 5.
● The conference included employer-led workshops, a career fair plus competitions for students
grades 11-12 from 50 iJAG programs. In total, there are 174 iJAG programs statewide that serves
students grades 7-12.
● Autumn Jarrett, Ashton Stines-Monohon and Dalana Hubbell of Ottumwa High School earned
first-place in the LOVE Project competition. The competition challenges youth to be
changemakers by identifying a need within their community and developing strategies that help
solve that need. The need could be an enhancement, access improvement or new service that
uplifts the areas they live.
○ Autumn, Ashton and Dalana were selected for their multi-effort commitment to
fundraise for Stead Family Children’s Hospital at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Their
efforts span several fundraisers and volunteerism. Their most recent effort selling
custom t-shirts in Fall 2024 raised more than $6,000 for children with cancer.
● First-place winners from all eight student competition categories will advance to a national
competition held by iJAG’s national organization, Jobs for America’s Graduates, for its 31 state
affiliates. The national competition, the National Career Development Conference (NCDC), will
be held in Indianapolis, Ind., April 24-26.
● A total of 25 high school students from across the state will represent Iowa at NCDC next month.
○ Students will network with national employers, attend skill-development workshops and
participate in leadership activities.
○ A total of 18 students, including Ottumwa High School, will participate in competitions
for the chance to earn top finishes nationally.
● CDC is just one way that iJAG partners with Iowa schools and employers to deliver career
education, leadership development, skill-building and work-based learning to more than 8,200
students statewide.
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About iJAG
● iJAG is a statewide nonprofit 501c3 organization who partners with Iowa schools to deliver
in-school career development programming. This includes leadership development,
skill-building, employer engagement and work-based learning.
● iJAG is committed to helping young people discover, plan and prepare for their futures.
● Students that participate in iJAG are more likely to graduate, attend a postsecondary institution
and find a job as compared to non-participants.
● Iowa is one of 31 state affiliates part of Jobs for America’s Graduates, a nationally recognized
program model for middle schools and high schools aimed at improving graduation rates,
workplace readiness and future preparedness.
● Across the state, iJAG serves more than 8,200 students, grades 7-12, in 174 programs across 119
schools.
