Students visiting Junior Achievement of Southern California’s JA Finance Park can now explore a variety of career possibilities at Universal Studios Hollywood through a brand-new storefront, created by Universal team members.

For more than 30 years, Universal Studios Hollywood has supported Los Angeles-area nonprofit organizations through its philanthropic foundation, Discover A Star, empowering individuals and families to lead more fulfilling lives.

The storefront opening marks a milestone in Discover A Star’s partnership with Junior Achievement, bringing together community partners, educators and team members to help develop the leaders of tomorrow. JA Finance Park is an educational program offered by Junior Achievement that helps young adults build essential personal finance skills and prepare for future success. Universal Studios Hollywood’s storefront is part of the program’s real-world simulation where participants select their career and define their future lifestyle and financial goals.

For many Universal team members involved in the project, seeing the completed storefront for the first time was especially meaningful.

"It was incredibly rewarding to see the transformation of the space," said Kati Deyerle, Senior Manager, Show Quality and Scenic Production, who served as one of the project leads. "Our teams take great pride in applying their skills outside of the park, and it meant a lot to contribute to a project that will have a lasting impact on young people in our community."

The space introduces students to careers across the entertainment, hospitality and tourism industries while helping them navigate the financial decisions they'll face throughout their lives.

During the opening celebration, Universal Studios Hollywood team member volunteers engaged 85 local high school students by sharing career insights, helping them with hands-on budgeting challenges and encouraging them to think about their futures.

"As a designer, I wanted to show students that they can achieve so much at Universal Studios Hollywood and explore potential career paths," said Leana Romero, Graphic Designer, Creative Design & Planning. "As someone who moved from an in-park role to a back-of-house position, one of my favorite things is seeing how we invest in our employees' growth and provide opportunities to explore different areas of the business.”

One of the highlights of the space is a career pathway wall featuring Universal team members and the many roles that help create memorable guest experiences every day.

"When I saw myself on the career wall, it had to be one of the proudest moments of my life," said Eric Cooper, Manager of Production Administration. "Many young people will see this wall and know they can achieve any goal they set their minds to right here at Universal Studios Hollywood."

The new storefront reflects Universal Destinations & Experiences’ continued development of future talent in the themed entertainment industry.