Endwell, NY – This summer, Visions Federal Credit Union provided professional training for student interns from partnering high schools. The internships are a component of the Visions Business Academy, Visions’ program that integrates education initiatives and membership opportunities with an in-school financial wellness center at participating schools.
Visions developed the Visions Business Academy to deepen relationships with high schools within their three-state footprint and increase their community impact. Through the program, Visions provides each school district with a dedicated Financial Wellness Officer, who partners with school administrators, faculty members, and student interns to support financial literacy, professional development, and other goals within the school community.
Visions’ early in-school locations were focused on teller transactions, but realized they had the opportunity to make a greater impact beyond cash and checks. Over the years, the program has evolved to also partner with the school’s curriculum and introduce financial wellness resources to the school community.
Since making the shift toward financial wellness and professional development, Visions has expanded their in-school partnerships to nine schools in the Southern Tier of New York, plus three in New Jersey, and one in Reading, PA. At each participating school, Visions hires interns ages 16 and older to support the Financial Wellness Officer who is assigned to their school district. In turn, the students gain professional experience, which begins during summer training.
“We cover a lot of ground in just two weeks,” says Kayla Fedish, Visions’ Academic Relationship Manager, about the summer training program. “It’s a fun and engaging balance of Visions onboarding, financial literacy 101, and a professional development boot camp that helps to break the ice and prepare them for the coming school year and beyond.”
During their first days of training, student interns went through a professional onboarding process and introduction to Visions, including crash courses in credit union products, services, and the Visions brand. After that, they worked closely with their new team and Financial Wellness Officer, building skills relating to financial literacy, public speaking, and career readiness.
“We teach through a lot of interactive challenges, games, and workshops to make the information relatable and provide takeaways,” Fedish says. “When they’ve completed the training, all 50 interns will have actionable feedback from mock interviews, an understanding of best practices for social media and LinkedIn pages, and even professional headshots.”
When classes are in session, the interns will staff their in-school location, provide classroom presentations on financial topics, volunteer at school events and community projects, and offer other support as needed to their school’s Financial Wellness Officer. In-school locations are open only to the school’s students and faculty.
About Visions
Visions Federal Credit Union is a not for profit financial institution completely owned by its members. Established in 1966, Visions proudly serves over 250,000 members in communities throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Services include banking as well as auto, home, personal, and business loans.
Ref.: Visions FCU Press Release, 2025.
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