Jacksonville Students Gain Real-World Banking Experience at Riverside High School
Jacksonville is witnessing an innovative initiative that blends education and real-world banking practices through the newly opened VyStar Academy of Business at Riverside High School. The academy aims to provide students with hands-on experience in finance while simultaneously offering paid internships.
Internship Experience
Zaniya Bryant, a student intern, expressed excitement about the opportunities available at the academy. “I smell opportunity,” she said. As a paid intern, she is involved in activities such as opening accounts and processing deposits, working in what she describes as an environment of “real-world banking.”
Bryant acknowledges the importance of developing communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, which she deems vital for her future career. In addition to her banking responsibilities, she actively shares financial education with her peers, focusing on topics like saving and budgeting. “Being able to potentially change lives is a phenomenal feeling,” she remarked.
Connecting with Peers
Bryant’s experience extends beyond her immediate responsibilities. She has had the opportunity to meet other interns from VyStar’s different high school academies, reinforcing her network with like-minded individuals who share similar goals. “Connecting with like-minded individuals with similar goals and ambitions was amazing,” she said.
The Academy’s Background
The Riverside High branch, which opened in October, marks VyStar’s sixth academy in Jacksonville and its 19th in Florida. This initiative allows students to gain firsthand experience in the banking industry while learning essential financial skills. According to Michael Rathjen, the vice president of school programs at VyStar, the concept came as a part of ongoing financial education initiatives and reflects a commitment to “bring learning to life.”
Growing Momentum
Since its inception in 2006 at Bartram Trail High School, the program has seen remarkable growth. VyStar has facilitated around 2,200 paid internships at a competitive rate of $15 per hour. In addition, approximately 143,000 area high school students have benefited from financial education sessions, classroom training, and innovative events such as “Reality Fairs.”
Rathjen emphasized the importance of career and technical education programs in the region, saying that the initiative is a calling for him. “I get to see the tangible difference we are making,” he noted.
A Holistic Learning Experience
The program follows an exhaustive nine-week classroom training during the summer, preparing interns to manage daily operations under the watchful guidance of career education teachers and VyStar staff. In the past 18 years, around 100 interns have been offered full-time positions within VyStar.
Interns’ Success Stories
Alumni like Lindsey Thomas and Brittany Rudd share their success stories, crediting their internships as pivotal experiences in their careers. Thomas, who now serves as assistant vice president for IT support operations management, described her internship as a “Swiss army knife-style experience,” exposing her to various banking sectors.
Rudd, a senior customer lending representative, echoed similar sentiments, stating her internship allowed her to understand the inner workings of a financial institution. Both alumni acknowledge the lasting impact of their experiences on their careers and personal development.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, VyStar plans to expand its academic branches across more school districts. Interns at Riverside High School, like Zaniya Bryant, are not only gaining practical skills but also preparing to inspire future generations in financial literacy and banking.
With programs like this, students in Jacksonville are set to benefit from valuable career training and essential life skills, paving the way for a financially literate and empowered future.
