Students in Lancaster High School’s Academy of Finance have been receiving some real world work experience, partially in the hallways of their own school.
The Lancaster-Depew Federal Credit Union has partnered with the high school and established a student-run credit union at the high school. The branch is run and managed by students who have been selected as interns.
“It has definitely put up a challenge,” said intern Mason Scherer of getting the new branch started. “But it started out very well, and it’s only getting better.”
Open before and after school, the branch makes its services available to students at the school as well as faculty and staff throughout the district.
As a part of the internship, students are required to complete 154 hours in the program, 100 of which they are compensated for through pay or scholarships, according to Jackie Myers of the Lancaster-Depew Federal Credit Union.
While the location within the high school is still relatively new, having opened in February, students said it has been improved upon significantly since the opening, including having better furnishings.
Intern Luke Lanza said he has learned a great deal about the industry, but also about what it’s like to run a professional location.
“We were responsible for getting the furniture and setting it all up,” he said.
To get into the federal credit union as an intern is a relatively competitive process, according to students, but one worth pursuing.
“It’s definitely been very beneficial,” said Scherer. “You learn how to start from the bottom and work your way up.”
While the students gain experience they can take with them to college and beyond, the credit union itself is also benefiting from the partnership, as the interns spend some time at their location outside the school as well.
“Our interns come with a desire to do their job, and because this is their first job, we make sure to be aware of what they need to succeed,” said Ann Sweeney, CEO of the Lancaster-Depew Federal Credit Union.
Many of the students do feel as though they are gaining an important experience from the opportunity to intern.
“I plan to go into accounting, and this internship has made me more secure in that decision,” said Scherer.