3DE Schools program expanding in Tampa Bay area 

Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay is dedicated to impacting students in the community. 

The nonprofit offers K-12 programs that focus on topics such as entrepreneurship, financial literacy and career readiness. One of its key initiatives is 3DE, an instructional model that allows high school students to interact with the business community – to learn more about career opportunities, public speaking and leadership skills. 

“Our goal is to make education more relevant and engaging – authentically connecting students to the real world,” said Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay vice president of community and government affairs Olivier Millour. 

“That has led not only to outperformance on key academic metrics within our student population, but also a greater connectivity to the types of jobs and careers that local organizations are looking to fill in years to come.” 

Launched in 2015, the 3DE Schools initiative is a national effort created by Junior Achievement USA that has been implemented in 80 educational institutions across 13 states in partnership with local school districts and businesses. 

It was first brought to the Tampa Bay area in 2020 at St. Petersburg, Dunedin, Hillsborough and Chamberlain High Schools. More were to follow. 

Most recently, the model was implemented at Largo and Seminole High Schools in August. 

Soon, 3DE will have a presence in 15 institutions in the region. Plant and Brandon High Schools will join the initiative during the 2026-27 academic year. 

“With the recent expansion, JA of Tampa Bay is now the single largest market for 3DE Schools,” Millour added. 

Participants in grades 9 and 10 have the opportunity to work on case challenges sponsored by national and local business partners such as cybersecurity technology company ReliaQuest. 

Students in grade 11 develop their own businesses in collaboration with the University of South Florida Nault Center for Entrepreneurship and other organizations. Seniors work on a year-long consultancy project with company partners. 

At the culmination of the initiative is the 3DE College & Career Summit, which is held for seniors. 

The nonprofit hosted the annual event for the second time Sept. 25 at its Tampa campus. More than 30 companies including St. Petersburg-based businesses Jabil and Power Design participated in the event, allowing approximately 200 students to network and pitch themselves. 

“We knew we needed to create some kind of final hoorah, so to speak, for our 3DE seniors,” Millour explained. “So that they can really make that connection that all of these partners that have poured into them and supported them in their education are also great places to work and great opportunities for them to pursue after high school.” 

Tampa Electric also participated in the summit. Jeff Chronister, the organization’s vice president of finance (and a Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay board member) attended. 

“I think it’s so important for students to interact with both colleges and career opportunities because it gives them that real life feel in a safe space,” Chronister said in a prepared statement. 

“That safe space allows them to know that every adult inside this room cares about them and wants the best for them and it gives them an opportunity to have an experience that they wouldn’t have otherwise.”

During the summit, participants were also able to partake in a LinkedIn workshop to learn more about how to use the platform effectively and why it’s an important career tool. 

Ahead of the event, students prepared by learning about personality types and crafting their elevator pitches, among other activities. 

Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay website