ESL, MCC Offer Scholarship Program to Help Students Gain Banking, Financial Services Experience while Earning Degree
Program aims to create pathway to careers, strengthen workforce diversity.
Rochester, NY — ESL Federal Credit Union and Monroe Community College announce the opening of applications for the ESL/MCC Scholars program, an earn-and-learn experience for students interested in banking and financial services careers, particularly those studying business and accounting. The ESL/MCC Scholars program, now in its third year, offers paid internships, mentoring, and additional financial support to students working toward an MCC associate degree. The program reflects MCC’s mission to inspire and offer college-to-career pathways to students and ESL’s commitment to build a pipeline of diverse talent for the financial services industry.
Interested MCC students may apply online through October 18, 2019 (esl.org/SCHOLARS) to be considered for the program. Qualified students must be enrolled full-time in an MCC business-related degree program during the Spring 2020 semester (majors within MCC’s School of Business & Entrepreneurial Studies will be considered), maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, and be able to work in the United States on a permanent basis. Preference will be given to students from underrepresented backgrounds in the financial services industry.
Up to five students will be selected to participate in November, with orientation and training beginning in January 2020. Participating students will start in a part-time, paid teller position at ESL’s corporate headquarters or at a local branch and receive a $1,000 scholarship for each semester they participate. Benefits also include professional skill development opportunities, mentoring, and exposure to a variety of career paths. Students have the option to obtain academic credit for their work experience. Based on individual student needs, additional support provided by Single Stop at MCC will help students overcome barriers to success and maximize the learning experience.
“This earn-and-learn scholars program is a great way to support talent development in our community,” said Maureen Wolfe, senior vice president, Human Resources & Community Impact, ESL Federal Credit Union. “Students have shared how much they appreciate the opportunity to work with mentors and gain professional working experience through this program. The scholarship is also a huge benefit for them to help pay for their studies. We’re pleased to support this upcoming class of ESL/MCC Scholars as they consider a career in banking.” Wolfe also serves as a director on the MCC Foundation Board of Directors.
“The ESL/MCC Scholars program opens doors for Monroe Community College students interested in careers in banking and financial services,” said MCC Vice President of Student Services Lloyd Homes, Ph.D. “In addition to earning while they learn, students gain valuable, professional experience working for a leading employer in our community. The feedback we have received from students confirms that the ESL/MCC Scholars program makes a difference in student lives.”
The long-term goal of the program is to retain the students upon graduation from MCC through either full-time employment at ESL or as they work part-time while pursuing their bachelor’s degree at a local institution (with help from ESL’s tuition reimbursement program).
Employees, board members and immediate family members (living in the same household as the ESL employee) of ESL, ESL Investment Services, LLC, and ESL Trust Services, LLC, are not eligible for the program.
For more information, contact MCC’s Career and Veteran Services Office at 585.292.2248, jobsearch@monroecc.edu, or ESL at acollier@esl.org
