Workplace ethics—a concept many young people should learn but few are likely to discuss. But for a group of students at Nashville’s Hillwood High School, ethics was a hot topic in their classroom. Ms. Pam Wright, CEO, owner and founder of Nashville-based Wright Travel, encouraged discussion of workplace ethics among these students as part of a program entitled Capitalism with Conscience. This program is on the roster of curriculum provided by Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee (JA) to high school students, programming which is now being funded by Wright for the next three years.

After committing to underwrite JA’s high school-level programming, Wright wanted to experience first-hand the impact JA makes on Middle Tennessee’s students. So she walked the talk and went directly into the classroom herself. On May 15, Wright shared her entrepreneurial experiences with Hillwood students in  Ms. Mary York’s AVID class.

According to the Metro Nashville Public School (MNPS) Web site, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is designed for students in the “academic middle who have the desire to graduate from high school and go to college.” Wright said she was excited to address a class of first-generation, college-potential students.

Wright opened the session by detailing the education and passion that led her to succeed in the travel industry. She facilitated discussion on workplace ethics and reinforced her lesson with a case study straight from her own office. The students offered their opinions on how to handle a potentially trying situation; all seemed to grasp the importance of operating with principles.

“You cannot just have ethical standards with it benefits you,” Wright told the class. “You have to have ethical standards all the time.” In addition to that advice, she charged the students with finding their passion and developing that passion into a career.

Wright chose to speak to the students at Hilllwod because the school offers courses aligned with the Hospitality and Tourism Career Academy, a partnership between MNPS and the Nashville Chamber of Commerce among others.

JA’s curriculum focuses on financial literacy, business skills, and 21^st-century workplace readiness. Wright understands the value of these tenants in order to succeed in the business world and wants to convey the importance of this to high schoolers on the cusp of entering the adult world.

“As a corporate citizen of Middle Tennessee, I believe Wright Travel has a responsibility to participate in programs like this and support organizations that work to improve the educational experience for high school students,” Wright said.

“Programs like Junior Achievement need support from local companies and citizens, or they can’t be successful in fulfilling their valuable mission. If we as business leaders can commit some of our resources to have an impact and influence on high school students, we not only help the students, but we gain ten-fold in the rewards to us as individuals, businesses and communities,” she said.

Wright credits JA for helping her achieve success in the travel industry and wants to have the same impact on today’s students. “I remember the positive impact JA had on me. I learned the basics of how to run a business and what it takes to put a business plan together,” she said. “The JA program really started me on the path to becoming an entrepreneur.”

Not only does Wright serve as a volunteer for JA, she is also a member of JA’s Board of Directors. In addition, she serves the community as a member of the Board of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce Partnership 2010 Lead Investor Council.