In Iowa City, young people are building the skills and confidence they need to step into their futures, while giving back to the community along the way.
Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) is a statewide program that blends soft-skill development with real-world experience. Students practice communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and professionalism while also engaging in service, civic leadership, and work-based learning. Across Iowa, more than 200 iJAG programs now serve over eleven thousand students, making our state one of the largest affiliates in the national JAG network.
Locally, iJAG is offered at Iowa City West High, City High, and Liberty High. At West High, students are contributing their time and energy to the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area, clearing overgrowth along the shoreline, improving habitat, and learning safe tool use. They are gaining hands-on experience at University of Iowa home games, where they support logistics, customer service, and event operations. Students are also serving neighbors with dignity through partnerships with Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) and St. Andrew Presbyterian Church’s Food Market. Through this partnership, students are provided with opportunities to distribute food, help set up, and support families in need. These experiences show how service and skill-building can go hand in hand.
The program is also opening doors for career exploration. iJAG students are eager to job shadow and intern with local employers in nearly every field, including health care, skilled trades, technology, public service, and the arts. Each placement transforms classroom lessons into confidence. Students see real tools and workflows, practice professional communication, and gain résumé-ready experience.
For employers, the impact is twofold: companies meet motivated young talent, and students discover where their strengths and passions can grow. Together, these create a stronger pipeline for our regional workforce and a deeper culture of community service.
If businesses are interested in supporting iJAG students, opportunities are flexible and can be shaped around what works best for each workplace. Hosting a short job shadow, offering a one-day skills workshop, or providing a longer internship all give students valuable exposure to the world of work. Local employers who open their doors help students connect their learning to real possibilities for the future.
For more information, please contact Kelley DeLong at delongkelley@iowacityschools.org.
