MAPLE GROVE, Minn., Jan. 10, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based member-owned financial cooperative, is welcoming a student from Como Park Senior High’s Academy of Finance Program as an intern at its Como Park branch this year.
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TopLine is in its first year of collaboration with the Academy of Finance Program, a four-year curriculum within Como Park Senior High that prepares students for college and career. Students enter the program in 8th grade, and spend grades 9 through 12 completing requirements — including 60 internship hours in a position relating to finance. St. Paul Community College awards credit to participants for yearly completion, and work is ongoing to implement credit acceptance for the program’s 300 students at all Minnesota state schools.
During the internship at TopLine, high school students will learn about managing personal finances, as well as perform duties as a teller, like assisting credit union members and learning cash handling skills. Each week of the TopLine internship focuses on honing professional skills —including initiative, time management, teamwork, ethics, problem solving, verbal communication and a skill of the intern’s choice. This year’s intern will also assist with interpreting for neighborhood Karen-speaking TopLine members.
“We’re very lucky to have our students placed at TopLine, where people are truly passionate about teaching financial literacy skills to the next generation,” said Kristine Somerville, Academy of Finance Coordinator, Como Park Senior High School. “TopLine Federal Credit Union provides our students with an amazing and rare opportunity, to get out of the classroom and immerse themselves in a real-world work environment. It’s great for their maturity to interact with coworkers and customers as peers. Not only do they gain confidence, but they also build professional skills that will give them a strong footing for when it’s time to start their careers.”
“TopLine is thrilled to help students build real-world career skills through the Academy of Finance Program,” said Vicki Erickson, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, TopLine Federal Credit Union. “This is an excellent partnership opportunity with our local schools and community members. Our Como Park branch in St. Paul serves many members of the local Karen community, and our new intern will allow us to offer an even higher level of service, while our intern learns firsthand marketable and in-demand job skills. It’s a three-way win — for the community, for TopLine and for Academy of Finance students.”
TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota’s 13th largest, with assets of more than $385 million. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit cooperative offers a complete line of financial services, as well as auto and home insurance, from its five branch locations — in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Paul’s Como Park — as well as by phone, mobile app and online at www.TopLinecu.com. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members. Visit our website to learn more about TopLine’s Youth Financial Literacy sessions.