Cox remodels storefront in Junior Achievement Arizona’s BizTown

By Madeline Bates
Mail

Almost every American student is asked “what would you like to do when you grow up?” and expected to know the answer and how to get there by the end of their schooling. Junior Achievement, Cox and dozens of other Arizona businesses are committed to helping Arizona students get there. 

Cox technology is widely known for providing phone and internet services but have also expanded to technology and media services for residents and businesses across the Valley. Cox has worked with BizTown for over 20 years to teach students about media and technical jobs that Cox offers at all levels.  

At the Cox storefront in BizTown students have the option to be a Wi-Fi technician, mobile phone sales and even a podcast host. This demonstrates the variety of positions that students can aim for during their schooling as they begin building a career.  

“We’re really committed to showing kids how they can achieve more than they ever thought they could” said Eddie Mehta, development director for Junior Achievement of Arizona.  

Mehta and the other staff are part of a global network of Junior Achievement that spans across the globe in Asia, Africa, Europe, Mexico, Canada and in over 100 places in the United States.  

BizTown, located inside of Junior Achievement’s Tempe offices, is a town replica full of real businesses that serve Arizona and beyond. Amazon, Goodwill, Arizona State University and others fill the space with mock storefronts for a three-year contract that allows over 25,000 students to experience working and purchasing in an educational format.  

Before coming to BizTown teachers facilitate the Junior Achievement learning materials that teach about bank accounts, business positions and political leadership like a mayor and town treasury. Arizona politicians like Rep. Greg Stanton and Treasurer Kimberly Yee have also made an appearance to show students as young as 10 years old the importance of financial management. 

 BizTown also serves students outside of the location with their mobile unit that travels across the state to areas like Kingman, Globe and Tucson. The Financial Park program offers a similar teaching model for middle and high school students where they are assigned a role with a salary and have to budget from there. This encourages more advanced financial planning as well as the chance to explore real life benefits and consequences that are involved with making and spending money.  

“We just really love what Junior Achievement does and BizTown is the perfect place for students to learn,” said Susan Anable, the Phoenix market vice president of Cox Communications.  

Cox is part of the dozens of businesses that have storefronts in the Junior Achievement offices and donate to the nonprofit. Storefronts are updated annually during the summer to either get new technology or to be changed completely.  Some businesses also choose not to renew their contracts to make room for other businesses and more experiences.  

For more information about BizTown and Junior Achievement’s initiatives visit Junior Achievement of Arizona or visit their offices at 636 West Southern Avenue in Tempe.