OKLAHOMA CITY — As a result of a forward-looking partnership between Tinker Federal Credit Union and Metro Technology Centers, classroom teaching and credit union employment have morphed into an internship program.
“Nickole Clark discovered a common thread between Metro Tech’s classroom curriculum and the job skills needed at Tinker Federal Credit Union, so with help from the teachers, staff and students, the internship program was born,” said Tinker Federal CU’s Senior Vice President of Marketing Matt Stratton.
Clark, Tinker Federal CU’s Internship Coordinator and Lobby Supervisor for two locations, including Metro Tech’s Information Technology Campus (ITC), has a special fondness for the program.
“I was a student at NW Classen [high school] and attended Metro Tech myself,” she noted. “I also lost my mom when I was 14 years old and raised my two younger brothers, so I understand many of the struggles young people face.”
With four campuses in the greater Oklahoma City region, Metro Technology Centers, founded in 1979, is a career and technology institution. Since 2008, Tinker Federal CU has operated one of its 30 branches at Metro Tech’s Oklahoma City location.
“The Tinker Federal CU branch at Metro Technology Centers provides students, staff and the community access to a variety of financial services,” said Metro Technology Centers’ Associate Superintendent of Instruction Dennis Portis III, Ph.D. “Its location within the school adds a great level of convenience to those mentioned, especially for those high school students looking to establish their first savings and/or checking accounts.”
Teaching Forward
With 320,000 members and 720 employees, the $3.4 billion Tinker Federal CU welcomed Metro Tech to its field of membership in 1999. Metro Tech’s mission is to provide full-time career majors for high school and adult students. Certain high school students can receive credit toward high school graduation and/or earn trade certifications and/or licenses.
To date, four interns have assumed positions at Tinker Federal CU. Stratton noted that two employees are part-time tellers, one was a summer hire (teller), while the other is a full-time loan officer.
“Nickole works with class instructors to set a day and time to visit with the students,” said Stratton. “She discusses Tinker Federal CU products, services and the possible opportunity of internship.”
Students who are selected for the internship have the highest grades and best attendance records. Next, there is a two-day observation, application, credit and background check for the internship program that lasts between one and three months.
“If the student is successful and we have an opening, the intern is placed in that position,” said Clark. “While this is an unpaid internship, the students will earn curriculum credit and many skills to help them later in life.”
To round out the experience, Stratton said that the Metro Tech staff performs mock interviews for the students, round-table discussions and are invited as guest speakers to speak on topics such as budgeting, professionalism and credit.
“From an instructional side, the partnership has provided a high level of relevancy to the workforce and in life for our students. To an educator, this is most important, as concepts that are taught are validated through industry,” said Portis. “On an individual note, Metro Tech employees can participate in workshops, seminars and events that emphasize personal finances and money management. Additionally, all Metro Tech employees are prequalified to become credit union members and have access to the abundance of financial services that Tinker Federal Credit Union provides.”
Portis, Stratton and Clark work as a unified front to provide work-based learning methodologies. This is achieved, in part, by having a full-service financial institution adjacent to classrooms. The partnership is centered on studying industry standards and observing industry developments.
“Our instructor continues to observe trends (through advisory councils and other listening posts) in the newest software platforms being utilized in industry,” said Portis.
In 2011, Metro Technology Centers’ opened Metro Career Academy (MCA), a full-service community school that links students in Oklahoma City with education and community partners. Tinker Federal CU was among the first partners in the program.
“We have been involved with all programs, including the parent resource center, mentorship program and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program,” said Clark. “We also offer various sponsorships throughout the year and financial seminars.”
