BALTIMORE — For some college students, choosing a career in the credit union industry might be low on the totem pole but former interns that came through the African-American Credit Union Coalition's internship program say they have discovered an untapped area for professional development.
Since inception, 188 college students have participated in the AACUC's program and 22 have begun careers in the credit union industry, according to the coalition. This summer, 36 students worked at 19 credit unions across the country, at Fannie Mae and PFP Services, an insurance provider to members.
"Each year, the internship program continues to grow and develop," said Bert Hash, chairman on the AACUC internship committee and president/CEO of Municipal Employees Credit Union of Baltimore. "This growth and development has resulted in more interns finding jobs with credit unions, more credit unions willing to hire students as interns and Fannie Mae continuing its participation with the program for a second year."
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Former intern Evonne Gibson is has been in the industry for more than three years and is currently a human resources generalist at Aberdeen Proving Ground FCU.
"My first professional job was with a credit union," said Gibson, who would like to see a college career fair formed exclusively by credit unions. "I try to let [college students] that I come into contact with know about the AACUCs' internship program."
Marquell Coleman interned last year and is now a staff accountant at MECU of Baltimore. She said she was surprised at how credit union staff will take the time to walk members through issues such as how to repair their credit or how to get ready to take out a mortgage.
"They're not going to let you fall," Coleman said of credit unions.
This summer marked the second time Kareem McKnight has interned. He worked at PFP of Baltimore and said he has no problem with coming in on the ground floor. The credit union industry is ripe with mentors willing to provide guidance as young people move up the ranks.
"If I'm doing my job to the best of my ability, I'm sure I can shine," McKnight said.
Myisha Henry was recently promoted to human resource coordinator at SECU in Maryland. While she describes her career experience so far as valuable, she would like to see more minorities–not just African-Americans, but Hispanics and women–in senior positions.
"SECU is big on professional development," Henry said. "[The credit union] has the opportunities that put us in positions to have the knowledge and the power to better serve the members."
Tamekia Taylor, who had never heard of a credit union prior to interning, was also recently promoted to accounting supervisor at Houston Municipal Employees FCU.
"I love what I do. The [CEO and senior staff] take the time out to hear you out."
NCUA Vice Chairman Rodney Hood is convinced that credit unions would be a top career choice if students knew more about them. "There are not a lot of young folks interviewing at credit unions and not a lot of colleges partnering with students," Hood said.
Hood called on the AACUC to help form a working group by this fall to link up with historically black colleges and universities to familiarize students with the credit union industry. Hood said the Urban League and Inroads have expressed interest in helping with the working group.
Hood said his concerns about the lack of diversity in the industry were highlighted in a recent General Accountability Office report that showed less than 12% of those in management are African-Americans. He reiterated his feelings that credit union senior staff and boards should reflect the diverse makeup of their membership.
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