In partnership with Cristo Rey Jesuit High School’s Corporate Work Study Program, Associated Bank has been employing four students in Milwaukee and Chicago for the past two years to provide valuable work experience and skill-building opportunities.
The work-study program provides a comprehensive affordable education to students from families with limited financial means. All students work five full days per month at companies throughout their city. Through the program, students gain confidence, connect the relevance of their academic coursework to future employment, acquire skills that will benefit their career and receive unprecedented access to the professional world. Their earned wages are applied to tuition costs.
To further enhance their experience, Associated Bank’s Cultural Awareness Network (CAN) of Milwaukee, a colleague resource group, recently held two skill-building workshops for the students working in Milwaukee to help them advance their careers and build meaningful connections outside of their assigned work areas.
The workshops covered topics including:
- How to build your personal brand
- Finding your career path
- Financial education
- How to prevent identity theft
- Diversity & Inclusion at Associated Bank
- Resume-writing and creating a LinkedIn profile
“The students were very engaged and motivated during the workshops. Many of them expressed that they genuinely felt like part of the Associated Bank team,” said Elizabeth Strike, diversity & inclusion talent consultant, Associated Bank. “We hope that, through our partnership with Cristo Rey, the students will consider us for future employment and help to position Associated Bank as an employer of choice.”
Associated Bank plans to continue its partnership with Cristo Rey into the 2017-18 school year.