Hoboken High School Students Get Rare First-Hand Look at the Business World During Hoboken Business Center's "2nd Annual Career Academy"

HOBOKEN, N.J., Oct. 6, 2011 - Hoboken Business Center (HBC), a JDA Group LLC property, and the Small Business for Education Foundation (SBE), recently provided 60 Hoboken High School students with a first-hand look into the daily life of business professionals during the "2nd Annual Career Academy." Created by Greg Dell'Aquila, president of JDA and founder and president of SBE, this annual event seeks to open the students' eyes up to the vast number of possible job opportunities just outside their door.

During "Career Academy," the students enjoyed three 50-minute "job shadow" meetings with business professionals located at HBC in a vast range of industries including communications, finance, law, healthcare, real estate and industrial arts. This year, approximately 25 tenants of HBC joined in "Career Academy" as well as representatives from the United States Navy. The specific professions were chosen by the students based on a career interest inventory taken prior to the event.

"Thanks to Greg's vision and the tireless efforts of his staff and the tenants of HBC, our students had a uniquely enriching experience. It gave them even more reason to sustain their dedication to their high school education and provided valuable information in which to base their college selection," said Cecilia Sanchez D'Elia, PsyD, LPC, Director of the School-Based Youth Services Program of Hoboken High School. "For example, one of our students in a digital photography class was able to learn how those skills can be directly applied to a career in marketing. ‘Career Academy' is an exemplary demonstration of the unity between our community and Hoboken High School."

The event kicked off with an inspirational and interactive talk from Gary Teurack, founder of the National Society of Success and Leadership. Tuerack shared his own experiences in overcoming a learning disability and achieving educational and personal success.

"Today's students are the business and community leaders of tomorrow. I established ‘Career Academy' to help Hoboken High School students better understand that and support them in achieving the goals they set for themselves," explained Dell'Aquila of JDA, a privately-held commercial and residential development company with headquarters in Hoboken. "This event would not have been possible without the generosity of our HBC tenants, who put their business on hold for the day to host the students."

JDA is the developer, owner and manager of HBC, a thriving 80,000-sq.-ft. office building located at 50 Harrison Street in Hoboken. Under the leadership of Dell'Aquila, JDA is known for its results-oriented, hands-on approach beginning with acquisition and development of properties through construction, leasing and property management. In 2010, Dell'Aquila founded the SBE, a Hoboken-based non-profit organization.