Norfolk Southern sponsors Junior Achievement storefront to bring career learning to Birmingham students

Birmingham students will soon have a new way to explore the working world. Norfolk Southern and Junior Achievement of Alabama celebrated the opening of a new NS storefront at JA BizTown on September 9, creating another hands-on learning opportunity for local students.

Why it matters

JA BizTown helps students connect classroom lessons to real life through an immersive, simulated community where they take on jobs, manage money, and experience how businesses work together.

• Community investment: NS is providing $125,000 over five years to JA BizTown and committed over $25,000 to build out the storefront.
• Career exploration: The storefront will give students an opportunity to learn about Norfolk Southern and the role transportation plays in connecting communities and supporting the economy.
• Real-world skills: The JA BizTown program helps students build financial literacy, workplace readiness and an understanding of foundational business practices.

Real World Experience

At JA BizTown, students step into the roles of employees, consumers, and community leaders. The program combines classroom instruction with a day-long visit to a simulated town, helping students apply what they have learned in a practical setting.

The NS storefront adds the transportation industry to that experience, helping students see how rail supports businesses, jobs, and the movement of goods across the country.

What they’re saying

“Norfolk Southern is proud of our long-standing relationship with Junior Achievement, and we are excited to bring a new experience to the Birmingham community. This storefront will give local students a hands-on opportunity to build practical skills, explore future careers, and better understand how rail keeps communities and businesses moving.” – Kristin Wong, Director of NS Foundation and Community Impact

The big picture

The new storefront reflects Norfolk Southern’s commitment to expanding educational and career pathways in the communities it serves. NS has invested over $400,000 in Junior Achievement organizations across its network since 2023, supporting programs that help students build financial literacy, explore career pathways, and prepare for the workforce.

Learn more about how NS invests in the communities it serves through its community impact programs.