Pub. 16 2019 Issue 3

Issue 3 • 2019 5 O V E R A C E N T U R Y : B U I L D I N G B E T T E R B A N K S - H E L P I N G N E W M E X I C O R E A L I Z E D R E A M S For the 2019 program, we reviewed nearly 30 applications, conducted 18 phone interviews, conducted nine in-person panel interviews, resulting in internships for four individuals. Mentor role: • Serve as an ambassador between the respective financial institution and the bank before, during and after the internship program • Contribute to the development of the internship pro - gram both from a high-level capacity at the NMBA level, as well as development of a detailed schedule for their respective intern by working with internal partners • Serve as an engaged accessible resource for the intern on a day-to-day basis • Held accountable for maintaining a meaningful schedule to ensure a favorable intern experience • Assist with identifying intern strengths and explore potential employment opportunities upon completion of the internship The intern workweek is Mon-Thurs, roughly 9:00-5:00. This structure was established primarily as the result of our research of other internship programs, also taking into consid - eration the student routine as the Business School does not hold classes on Fridays. An average day for our interns consists of shadowing, train - ing, participating in client interactions, and possibly participat - ing in smaller hands-on projects. Mondays for our interns consists of shadowing/training in the morning, lunch with the broader NMBA cohort on a bank rotation schedule, followed by an afternoon focused on the Bank Management course. Dennis’s class is customized for this program to actively teach our interns about our industry with the intent of instilling ‘big-picture’ thinking as they spend time in various departments. This result is accomplished through a combination of textbook study, a research project, and cap - italizing on the small group setting by spending ample time applying concepts through the discussion of relevant topics that are relatable to the intern experience. Intern feedback has been very positive for incorporating the course into the program. 3. Has the program been successful? What are the pros and cons? We are marrying two very important initiatives with this program. 1) Generating interest and awareness of the banking industry among a desirable workforce audi- ence and 2) Providing jobs to help retain our college graduates here in the State. Over the past two years, we have connected with over 100 students, we have connected six financial institutions with eight interns, and we have employed three of the eight interns. Yes, this program has been successful. There will always be an opportunity to improve the program, and we have enjoyed implementing notable enhancements to the program already this year. We will continue to actively adapt and look forward to furthering success for year three of the program. 4. NMBA President, Jason Wyatt, Western Com- merce Bank, Carlsbad, has indicated that he would like to have the program include NMSU. What are your thoughts concerning any expansion of the program? The thought of implementing an internship program through- out various geographies in NewMexico has been a desired vision for NMBA members and leadership. Jason's investment in mov - ing the initiative forward with NMSU is an exciting step in that • Confirm bank participation • Program exposure/education through internship fairs and faculty meetings • Ongoing NMBA internship com - mittee meetings • Candidates identified through faculty/advisor/employer recommendations,internship fairs, and the Handshake Platform • February interviews • March in-person interviews and internship offers extended • Committee and banks solidify respective internship structures • Monday luncheon with interns, sponsors and bank leadership - weekly alternating locations • Monday Bank Management course with Dennis Garcia. Three credit hours awarded • Hands on rotation with various part - ners and departments • Customized schedule to maximize exposure to bank career paths based upon intern interest • Final day: formal intern presentation comparing two financial institutions held at UNM June - July 8 Week Program February - May Candidate Selection Program Development November - January Recruitment n EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE continued on page 6