Inside the Powering Pittsburgh storefront, students become part of a team responsible for running an electrical contracting business for the day.

Students take on six different roles — CEO, CFO, Project Manager, Community Coordinator, Electrical Engineer and Electrician — and work together to complete projects throughout BizTown.

Along the way, they tackle hands-on activities inspired by the real electrical industry. They might design and test a solution, respond to a service call, coordinate a storefront upgrade or prepare electrical equipment for a community event.

The experience gives students a chance to learn by doing while seeing how teamwork, communication, problem-solving and technical skills all come together in the real world.

When students hear "electrical industry," they may immediately think of an electrician. The Powering Pittsburgh storefront helps them see a much bigger picture.

Through their different roles, students are introduced to the variety of people it takes to bring a project to life — from electricians and engineers to project managers, business leaders and other professionals working behind the scenes.

Each role contributes something different, helping students connect their own interests and strengths to the many ways people work together within the industry.

Career exploration doesn't have to start with choosing a career. For younger students, it starts with exposure — discovering industries, meeting new types of professionals, connecting classroom skills to the real world and learning about possibilities they may not have encountered before.

The Powering Pittsburgh storefront is designed to give students that foundation while providing educators and families with another resource for continued exploration.

The Powering Pittsburgh storefront is one part of a growing partnership with Junior Achievement of Western PA.

Together, we're exploring additional opportunities to connect students with experiences and resources that build career awareness, strengthen real-world skills and introduce them to the many possibilities within the electrical industry.

As the partnership grows, Powering Pittsburgh will continue looking for meaningful ways to support Junior Achievement programs and reach students at different ages and stages of exploration.