Self-Help Credit Union has awarded a $500 scholarship to Durham Public Schools graduate Amy Gallego, who worked at its downtown Durham branch during this past spring break through the 2018 DPS Scholars-at-Work Program.
“I encouraged Amy to apply and printed the application for her on her last day,” said Zakiya James, procurement and customer care lead for Self-Help Credit Union.
Gallego was the only senior among four students who participated in the spring break program at Self-Help. Interns shadowed staff, toured Self-Help properties and participated in engaging discussions on team work and leadership.
“I was really impressed with Amy, who participated in each session and asked great questions about the work that Self Help does,” James said. “Amy overall had a professional and engaging stance, especially at the all-staff meeting with all teams and the CEO.”
Self-Help branches award these scholarships each year to local students attending or planning to attend a vocational school or college. Gallego plans to attend a North Carolina college to become a pediatric nurse practitioner.
The DPS Scholars-At-Work Program is a four-day workplace immersion experience for eligible students in grades 10-12. Students spend part of their spring break in residence at a local company where they meet and shadow employees in various departments, do hands-on tasks that expose them to the type of work carried out there and learn about the company’s initiatives.
It is part of an expanding continuum of work-based learning activities that Made in Durham partners, including Durham Public Schools, are designing to prepare all Durham youth for career success and create a strong local talent pipeline.
For more information on the Scholars-at-Work Program, visit www.dpsnc.net/Page/793.
For more information on Self-Help, visit www.self-help.org/
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