University of Central Missouri: UCM Harmon College, Central Bank Jointly Create New Extended Internship

Before students graduate from the University of Central Missouri, one of the most cherished learning opportunities comes through internships that provide valuable hands-on experience and insight into their prospective careers. While these opportunities typically last one semester, Central Bank and the UCM Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies are taking this experience one step further through a new extended, paid internship that is two semesters long, and begins this fall. Students who aspire to be in management-related careers are encouraged to consider applying for this position.

Central Bank has posted on its website the opportunity for this part-time job as a Retail Banking Operations Intern. While this position is based out of the main bank facility in Warrensburg, the intern will float to any of four banking centers as needed to provide service to both internal and external customers. The position includes performing a variety of banking tasks such as handling deposits and withdrawals, payments, greeting customers, and maintaining accounts. During this 25-hours-per-week opportunity, the intern also will engage with customers by exploring their needs and offering helpful banking services and or products. They will engage in other business units as necessary by making appropriate referrals of traditional and non-traditional banking products and services.

“I am grateful for the partnership with Central Bank that was made possible through the outreach of Marshall and Steve Abney. This is a unique opportunity for students from the Harmon College to well establish themselves for a potential career in the banking industry” said Betsy Kreisel, Ph.D., interim dean of the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies. “The students have the opportunity to learn banking from the entry point and be groomed through an intentional two-semester apprenticeship-type program that will immerse them to a potential career in bank management.”

Kreisel said this is a selective program. The student will need to apply and be recommended by both the Harmon College and Central Bank.

“It is more important than ever for students to have a specific career goal in mind as they progress through their college courses,” Kreisel added. “This Central Bank career-boosting internship will give students the Harmon Edge on others because of the networking, training, mentorship, and professional development they will obtain through this program. This intensive internship is exactly the type of partnership Harmon encourages as it aligns with our commitment to providing engaging and applied educational opportunities.”

Kreisel commended the efforts of Kyla Karleskint, human resources manager for Central Bank, and Derrick Gill, internship coordinator for the Harmon College, for coordinating all the details to make the internship come to fruition for university students. UCM is the only higher education institution to have this type of internship opportunity through Central Bank.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with UCM. By assisting students with their professional goals and offering real world experience we hope to set their resumes apart,” Karleskint said. “With our strong roots and endless networking opportunities we hope to successfully create a mutually beneficial, career-focused relationship that will expand throughout the Central Bank footprint.”