EDGE Alliance

Through the iJAG program, students discover their individual talents, develop employability and self-advocating skills, and seize opportunities to achieve their personal potential.

Adventure Leader:  Sarah Madson & Sandra Peasley, BHS

Email: smadson@boone.k12.ia.us & speasley@boone.k12.ia.us  Phone: 515-433-0995 x 2244

I-JAG Course Description

I-JAG (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates) is a career exploration and preparation program that provides a hands-on approach in exploring personal strengths and challenges as well as job attainment skills (cover letter, resume, job application, interviewing, etc.) and work place “survival” skills (interpersonal relations, team work, etc.). Students will also work to build strengths in academic areas, time management, and communication. The individual and team project work will also help students come to an understanding of personality and temperament and the relationship between personal actions and consequences that follow. Students will make connections to their career interests, abilities, and aptitudes by determining their education and career goals through development of an Individual Career Development Plan. This full-year, credited course involves individual assignments, team activities/projects, academic remediation support, service learning opportunities, guest speakers, field trips (including a couple to state I-JAG events in Des Moines), and career exploration through job shadowing and/or an internship. Students will also participate in the I-JAG Career Association in various activities focused on Career and Leadership Development, Service Learning, and Civic/Social Awareness.

Building a Future Ready Workforce*

In an effort to bring relevance to student learning as well as a real sense of the work in key industries, a closer connection to work is needed. Most students pass places of business daily not knowing what the company does, what employment options exist, and what education and skill sets are required for various jobs. Having employers and community leaders in the classroom provides a great opportunity for the volunteers to meet with students, hear their story, share information about their company, and learn more about the iJAG program. A volunteer with a different perspective provides the students with more knowledge and networking for their future.

*Iowa Jobs For America’s Graduates