Major League Hacking senior partner Nick Quinlan says that JA Business Week “set the course for me to succeed and gave me a basis to excel in the professional world.”

From 2007 to 2010 Quinlan attended JA Business Week, excelling at activities like the Spoonbender Challenge and the Mocktails networking event. He also participated in JA Stock Market Challenge during those years.

“I use lessons I learned at JA Business Week nearly every day,” Quinlan says. “Whether it’s the skills in professionalism and networking that got me my first job, or the teamwork skills I gained, I would not be where I am without JA.”

Quinlan graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Business Administration and Management, founded his freelance development company, became a developer evangelist at SendGrid and currently leads operations at Major League Hacking. His company powers over 200 weekend-long invention competitions to empower over 100,000 students around the world each year. Additionally, Quinlan volunteers as a Company Advisor at JA Business Week to pass along his experience to the next generation of students.

“I wanted the opportunity to give back to the organization and allow other students to have the same amazing experiences that I did.”

He shares with students the power of perseverance in achieving their goals. “Never let your age get in the way of your objectives. Work toward them with zeal, and you’ll get there sooner rather than later,” Quinlan tells them.

As one of nineteen JA alumni who served as JA Business Week volunteers last year, Nick is a testament to the long-lasting impact of JA programs.