What an incredible opportunity for JA students from three Greater Austin Area high schools—Weiss High School, Anderson High School, and Travis Early College High School. These students, along with their educators, had an enriching experience touring Oracle’s impressive offices, followed by engaging in JA’s work-readiness activities, including resume building, career exploration, and mock interviews facilitated by dedicated Oracle volunteers.
We are deeply grateful that our students have opportunities like this to explore diverse career paths and gain essential skills that prepare them for the workforce and their future dream careers.
“The interaction from Oracle staff with students was the best I've seen in years—very relevant and relatable,” shared Stephanie Matula, an educator at Weiss High School.
The expertise and mentorship of Oracle’s volunteers truly brought the JA activities to life, making this experience both impactful and memorable. Partnerships like this are invaluable, offering students critical real-world exposure while providing Oracle employees a meaningful way to give back to the community.
“A great opportunity to connect with local high schoolers about their interests and provide tools to help equip them as they progress. Well put together,” remarked Oracle volunteer Casey Medina.
These collaborations are pivotal in shaping our students’ futures, and we are thankful for Oracle’s role in this transformative experience.
Thank you to all those that made this possible! Shout out to Vanessa Frates for her advocacy for JA and volunteerism at Oracle.
Read below to learn more about Vanessa’s JA story.
Meet Vanessa Frates, Volunteering & Social Impact Specialist at Oracle and JA Volunteer
What is your JA history?
As an Oracle employee with Social Impact, JA is a global and local grantee in Austin! I try to arrange as many volunteering opportunities with JA and Oracle employees as possible.
Why do you think JA- learning experiences and mentoring focusing
on work readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship?
In my experience, these are subjects are vital information that is
missing from our young students and graduates. Many high
schools don’t educate on these important topics, or at least not
enough to suffice.
Why did you collaborate with JA and why should others?
I collaborate with JA not just because they are a grantee of Oracle,
but because of how much JA has in order! Emily Long has
made the partnership a joy and genuinely enjoy planning
activities that benefit Oracle employees and most importantly, the
students.
What worked well about your collaboration with JA?
Our collaboration works well because JA feels like a well-oiled
machine and the projects are already in place to enact. We just
need the students and volunteers to make it happen. It doesn’t
feel like we are starting from scratch because the guidelines and
ideas can be easily implemented.
Would you work with JA again?
Over and over and over again! Always!
What is some advice you would give your high school self? Ex.
personal, financial, career/academic, philosophical, etc…? Start a savings account and never miss your schedule to add to it.
Every 2 weeks? Great. Once a month? Fine. Even if it’s $15 each
time, create the habit of doing it!
