STROUDSBURG, Pa. — Student sales associates here are doing more than learning about working at a credit union--they are also teaching CU executives how to use new technologies.
“There are differences between our millennial student sales associates and the average employee,” said Sharon Ortiz, student branch coordinator for NE PA Community Federal Credit Union. “These employees are millennial youths and therefore are growing up in a world completely immersed and supplemented by technology.”
The $103.6 million-asset credit union launched its Student Branch Program five years ago. Since then, 19 student sales associates have been employed by NE PA. The 2015-16 school year includes Kaitlyn Aguiles and Damaris Acosta (East Stroudsburg High School North) and Francesco Liciaga and Cameron Garcia (East Stroudsburg High School South).
“Students respond quickly to new software and technologies and learn to navigate them proficiently in a relatively short time,” said Ortiz. “During their summer training, the students come up with a large number of marketing ideas which they include in their marketing plan and present as a proposal to our C-level executives for approval. Those ideas discussed and approved pending changes.”
Logan Zucchino, 18, who has been an employee for one year, first learned about the program when a NE PA FCU representative visited his class at East Stroudsburg High School South.
“I have been a part of several technology related innovations,” said Zucchino. “Throughout the school year, we designed and produced commercials using video editing software to attract students and teachers alike in our school. Individually, we have promoted the Student Branch through social media, creating an image of ourselves that would allow our peers to feel comfortable trusting us with their financial needs.”
CU Education
Supporting more than 12,000 members and 40 employees, NE PA has one main branch and two student branches located at East Stroudsburg High School North and South. Ortiz explained that the student branches are open three days per week during the school year.
“The Student Branch Program is actually an employment opportunity for the students who participate, rather than an internship,” said Ortiz adding that each student is paid per hour.
“NE PA has always had a mission and a passion for education. Our original charter was as a school employees’ credit union,” noted Ortiz. “Our board of directors believed the student branch program would prove effective in accomplishing our goal of encouraging financial literacy in our community.”
High school juniors that are 16 or older can apply for a position, and if accepted, begin work their senior year. To be eligible, minimum qualifications include at least one business course in accounting, finance, marketing or management, which all offered at both high schools. Additionally, two letters of recommendation from school staff are required with one being from a business teacher.
Ortiz said candidates should have experience in video editing or photo editing software and familiarity with word processing and spreadsheet software. “The Student Branch Program is a yearly program that begins with summer training in July, before their senior school year begins, and runs through the end of the school year.”
Return on Investment
Dorimar Bernal, 18, began working at NE PA over a year ago while a student at East Stroudsburg High School North. He and Zucchino employed digital software to develop “how to” videos that are housed on the credit union’s website.
“These are instructional videos, which members can view to learn how to navigate our various online services,” said Bernal. “Completing these videos, now available on the website and YouTube, is definitely my proudest accomplishment thus far.”
Now a student at East Stroudsburg University, Bernal said he will pursue a degree in Digital Media Technologies. “I believe that my experience [at NE PA] will help me greatly in future endeavors,” said Bernal. “This experience already helped me discover my passion for digital media arts.”
While no student sales associates have become full time employees yet, Ortiz said respective input has been invaluable to NE PA. She noted, for instance, Zucchino and Bernal’s accomplishments using video technologies.
“The instructional video team integrated technologies they were familiar with and encouraged their use for their video project,” said Ortiz. “For example, Logan suggested we use screen recording software for videos that required footage on real time internet interactions, as opposed to screenshots or video recordings. He even suggested a reliable open source option.”
Having proactive millennials in the mix has also helped guide NE PA’s social media platform.
“Although NE PA does not host social media pages, our student sales associates do, and so do their peers,” said Ortiz. “Since their target audience is heavy social media users, student sales associates for the last two years have found ways to integrate social media into their marketing plans through such means as Twitter “hashtag” campaigns.”
