On the surface, it looked like numbers on a page.
In reality, it was a glimpse into the future.
Students in Alexandria, Louisiana, learned how to prepare – while discovering potential career paths along the way.
We wanted to equip these students with essential life skills. Eric Lord, Regions market executive
Regions Bank gave $5,000 to the Students Exploring Career Opportunities (SECO) Expo, an event that brought together over 2,600 high schoolers. Much more than a financial sponsorship, Regions associates also gave of their time and experience, using engaging ways to show the next generation the importance of saving, creating a budget, and reaching personal goals. For example – the team from Regions facilitated a simulation on home purchasing, emphasizing the significance of credit with examples of excellent, good, and bad credit scenarios.
“We wanted to equip these students with essential life skills,” said Eric Lord, market executive for Regions Bank in Alexandria. “Understanding credit, creating a budget, and saving are fundamental aspects of responsible financial management. These interactive sessions allowed students to grasp these concepts in a real-world context.”
SECO, organized by The Orchard Foundation and The Rapides Foundation, aims to ignite curiosity and enthusiasm among high school students about potential career paths. At this interactive expo, Regions Bank played a role in guiding students through various simulations and discussions, shedding light on crucial financial aspects and career opportunities.
“We were thrilled to have Regions Bank join us as a first-time presenter at SECO,” said Marjorie Taylor, Executive Director of The Orchard Foundation. “Their commitment to empowering the next generation aligns with our mission, and their interactive sessions added fun and value to the expo.”
We were thrilled to have Regions Bank join us as a first-time presenter at SECO. Marjorie Taylor, Executive Director of The Orchard Foundation
Beyond financial education, bankers from Regions delved into discussions about life after high school. A career in banking can take several forms, they shared, from roles at the branch around the corner to positions in Commercial Banking, the Mortgage division, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Marketing.
“We wanted to show them that banking is not just about transactions; it’s a vast industry with opportunities in various fields,” said Branch Manager Melody Morales, who led the efforts to collaborate with SECO. “Whether it’s working in a branch, managing finances, or delving into technology and marketing, Regions offers a spectrum of career paths.”
Morales said Regions merchandise was also distributed for all participants, football stress balls being the biggest hit.
