June 09, 2016 (Manhattan, NY) – It was an evening of celebration and accomplishment, as approximately 20 female students from the NYC High School of Economics and Finance — part of NAF’s national network — were recognized for their commitment to personal development. These future female leaders are part of a mentoring program driven by Moody’s Corporation’s NY Women’s Employee Resource Group. The students participated in six mentoring sessions since the fall of 2015 at the company’s office in lower Manhattan. NAF is a grantee of The Moody’s Foundation.
The mentoring program pairs young women from the NAF Academy of Finance (AOF) at the High School of Economics and Finance, with female Moody’s employees, and gives NAF students the opportunity to connect with role models who have recently transitioned from the classroom to the working world. The program emphasizes networking; leveraging college experiences; awareness of generational differences in the workplace; and how to present your best self, and is also part of a continuum of experiences that these young women participate in during their NAF experience, designed to prepare them for college and career success.
The mentoring sessions covered topics that included personal branding; proper communication skills; tips for how to handle communication and feedback; self-advocacy; networking; and mock interviews. These exercises provided students with a true idea of what questions and feedback are communicated in an internship or job interview and helped assist those students who interviewed for opportunities during the course of the program. In the 2014-2015 school year, over 7,000 internships were completed by NAF students nationwide.
“I want to commend all of the participants for taking the time to network given its importance to influencing, leading and inspiring others to join you,” said Salli Schwartz, Global Head of Investor Relations and Communications at Moody’s and NAF Board Member. “We look forward to seeing where the future takes all of you.”
Participant, Tashi Dolma, a senior student who has been part of the program for two years, said, “This program really helped build my confidence and gave me the tools to succeed. The lessons and experience inspired me to want to try and made me feel like I could surpass my own expectations. My advice to others in the program is to never sell yourself short.”
Ms. Dolma will be attending Queens College in the fall and has already completed two internships – with Crosby Street Studios and the NYC DOE – and has been invited back by Crosby Street Studios for this coming summer. She plans to pursue a degree in either accounting or education.
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About NAF: NYC High School of Economics and Finance is a member of the NAF national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure high school students are college, career, and future ready. NAF works with high need communities to transform the high school experience through an educational design that includes industry-specific curricula, relationships with business professionals, and work-based learning experiences culminating in a paid internship. NAF academies fit within and enhance school systems, allowing NAF to become an integral part of a plan for higher achievement at a low cost. NAF academies focus on one of five career themes: finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences. During the 2015-16 school year nearly 89,000 students attended 716 NAF academies across 36 states, including D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2015, NAF academies reported 98% of seniors graduated with 92% of graduates with post-secondary intentions. For more information, please visit https://naf.org/
About The Moody’s Foundation: Built on the recognition that a company grows stronger by helping others, The Moody’s Foundation works to enhance its communities and the lives of its employees by providing grants and engaging in community service in local neighborhoods. The Moody’s Foundation, established in 2002 by Moody’s Corporation, partners with nonprofit organizations to support initiatives such as education in the fields of mathematics, finance, and economics, as well as workforce development, civic affairs, and arts and culture. For more information, please visit www.philanthropy.moodys.com.
Focus Keyword: NAF, Moody’s Corporation
Press Release: 6/9