ESL, MCC Offer Program to Help Students Gain Banking, Financial Services Experience while Earning Degree
Program aims to create pathway to careers, strengthen workforce diversity
Rochester, N.Y. — 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 second year, offers paid internships, mentoring and additional financial support to students working towards 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 17, 2018 (www.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 2019 semester, 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 2019. 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.
“We’re very excited to continue this earn-and-learn scholars program,” said Maureen Wolfe, senior vice president, Human Resources & Community Relations, ESL Federal Credit Union. “Students in the program have remarked at how valuable the mentoring and professional working experience has been to them, and how the scholarship was beneficial to help pay for their studies. Our hope is to expose students to our unique workplace culture, support them in their education, and encourage others to consider a career in banking.” Wolfe also serves as a director on the MCC Foundation Board of Directors.
The ESL/MCC Scholars program is a powerful example of how community leaders help Monroe Community College provide experiences that inform students’ career choices,” said MCC Vice President of Student Services Lloyd Holmes, Ph.D. “By participating in the program, students gain valuable, professional experience and confirm their passion for banking and financial services.”
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.
