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August 6, 2024Member Spotlight: Career Jam
Career Jam, founded in 2017, has made a significant impact by serving over 17,000 students in the Capital Region since its inception. The company is dedicated to delivering a unique and life-changing experience that inspires students, equips educators, supports employers, and empowers communities. Career Jam hosts dynamic and engaging “Explore” events for 8th and 9th-grade students, helping them explore diverse career paths early on. By raising awareness among students, their families, and educators, these events guide education choices and keep local talents within the region, fostering future economic growth. Local businesses from various career clusters provide hands-on activities at these events. Additionally, the “Launch” events align job seekers in 10th to 12th grades with community colleges, four-year institutions, internships, apprenticeships, and direct workforce opportunities with local employers. These events also serve as a platform for local leaders in education, business, and the community to connect with both students and each other. More information can be found on their website.
An interesting fact about Career Jam is that it operates based on five interconnected core values: Be Humble, Lead Change, Have Fun, Don’t Settle, and Unreasonable Hospitality. These values, along with their foundational principles, are detailed on their website here.
A fun tidbit about the business involves Carter and Sophie Van Amburgh, the children of the late founder, Ryan Van Amburgh, and his wife, Aarika, who is the current owner. Since the beginning, Carter and Sophie have been involved behind the scenes and, in recent years, have actively contributed to the family business at events. Carter assists with videography and photography, while Sophie helps out at the prep rally, appears in event instructional videos, and manages the exploration floor by aiding exhibitors and directing student traffic.
Career Jam is renowned for conducting a student exploration survey in collaboration with the Siena College Research Institute before the event experience. This survey connects students’ interests, skills, and aptitudes to recommended career clusters from a set of 16 nationally recognized clusters. This enables students to have valuable conversations with their parents/guardians and guidance counselors as early as 8th grade about potential career pathways they are considering. During the events, all exhibitor booths are identified by career pathways, helping students easily navigate and identify businesses they might be interested in working for in the future.
The data and analysis provided to students, parents, schools, and the community are invaluable, reflecting Career Jam’s commitment to putting students first. The Capital Region offers incredible opportunities for everyone, and by inspiring youth to discover their purpose, Career Jam contributes to creating a thriving workforce and community, thus making a lasting impact.
The Chamber has been instrumental in building Career Jam in the Capital Region. The support provided encouragement and helpful connections with key stakeholders. The championing of Career Jam among leaders and members has been crucial, enhancing the event experience by ensuring representation across many career clusters.
Living and working in the Capital Region is deeply fulfilling due to the strong sense of community. One of Career Jam’s foundational principles is “complete, not compete.” The vision has always been to put students first by empowering them to imagine their future. This mission requires community collaboration, and Career Jam’s roots in the Capital Region have shown what is possible when committed individuals come together. As John F. Kennedy once stated about economic development, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”
One of the most heartfelt compliments received by Career Jam came from Pam Stott, Executive Director of the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition, Inc., who wrote to founder Ryan Van Amburgh when he fell ill in Fall 2023. She expressed, “I believe the values of the platform you created [Career Jam] for students are measured in the knowledge they gain from exposure to career opportunities. Knowledge is power, and this power comes at a crucial time in their lives – what do I want to do when I grow up? What choices do I have and how do I get there? Never underestimate what you have contributed to impact so many students’ lives.”
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