They say money makes the world go ‘round, but according to Greenville High senior Kendred Walker, it’s more about the people.
We visited the Greenville Federal Credit Union branch located inside Greenville High School (aka The Branch at Greenville High) and spoke with Kendred — who works as an auditor in the student-run branch — about his experience.
This branch — as well as The Branch at Greer High, which opened this school year — enables high school students to earn course credit while gaining real-life experience and preparation for both college and their future careers. The fully functioning credit union branch offers students, faculty, and staff access to financial services like savings and checking accounts, debit cards, and online banking.
Here’s what Kendred had to say:
Tell us about the application process for this job.
Kendred had an internship with Greenville Federal Credit Union last summer and loved it, so he wanted to continue on during the semester. “You sign up like you would with a regular class, but then you get interviewed. They only chose seven people, and I’m the only auditor.”
How do you get graded at the end of the class?
“It’s mainly a participation grade — you have to show up for your shifts. We also have to come up with marketing campaigns to get new members and do ‘huddles’ with the team. We’re graded on all of that.”
What do you want to be when you grow up?
“I really want to be an auditor, which is why I did the internship and took this class. I love it.”
What are the top three things you’ve learned through this experience?
“I have four. You have to have good attention to detail, you have to be professional, you have to be able to deal with conflict, and you have to be punctual.”
What question do you wish I asked you that I haven’t?
“I wish you asked what it was like being a student who interacts with other students.” Kendred explains how he is able to use words fellow students understand, and they feel like they can ask him questions they might not want to ask in a different branch.
What do you do besides work in the bank?
“We go to different classrooms and tell them the benefits of opening an account. It’s funny because a lot of students don’t think it’s a real bank — they think you can only use the money at the school, and I say, ‘No, it’s a real bank.’”
Thank you to Kendred for taking the time to speak with us.
