For Amalia McKenzie, learning didn’t stop after graduating from Lewis-Clark State College. McKenzie is a 2023 graduate of LC State with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. With the utilization of Handshake, a free online career search platform provided for students and alumni, McKenzie was able to discover her next big step in US Bank’s Business Banking Rotational Program.
LC State Alumnus Amalia McKenzie
A key role in her success — the Student Employment & Career Readiness Center at LC State. McKenzie noted that it was the interview practice she gained from utilizing the career center that really put her on the top.
“The Student Employment & Career Readiness Center helped me significantly by building my confidence through practicing interviews and this helped me excel in the six interviews it took to land the position, McKenzie said. “During the interview process, I needed to stand out among hundreds of candidates as the position was limited to only 10 new grads a year.”
The Business Banking Rotational Program is designed to fast track its 15 new graduates in their careers. McKenzie said the company does this by providing intensive training on the handling of large accounts, giving the graduates what equates to many years of training in less than two and a half years.
The program consists of three training sessions that are ten months long. The training sessions prepare trainees in evaluating types of businesses, industries, and various markets, and in understanding economic and financial concepts at both the micro and macro level.
“By the end of the training session, the trainee will have confidence in managing accounts as small as $2.5 million to as large as $25 million. They will be able to provide the particular individual and/or business the financial guidance they need to reach their goals in growing their account with US Bank,” McKenzie said.
Not only did LC State help prepare McKenzie through her time with the career center, but her education will also play a role in her success with this program.
She said, “My education with LCSC has tremendously boosted my confidence in my skill sets as well as helped me feel more polished in being prepared for the workforce. It is because the professors are so dedicated to each and every student to ensure the education they are receiving is high quality; as a student, I can't help but feel very equanimous, assured, and secure in my knowledge gained over the years.”
Once trainees have completed the program, they will have a position opportunity waiting.
“At the end of the 30 months, those who take up the title, ‘business banking relationship manager’ will have a starting figure of $109,000-$152,000 depending on the location they start their career,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie’s commitment to learning and growth, alongside the utilization of programs available to her, are sure to play a key role in her future success.
Reflecting on her time with McKenzie, Director of the Student Employment & Career Readiness Center Makenzie Hollingsworth said, “Working with Amalia was an absolute pleasure as she prepared for what turned out to be a rigorous series of interviews for the Business Banking Program at US Bank. Amalia’s dedication to preparation and exceptional educational foundation were evident throughout the process, and I feel honored to have been a part of her preparation. I have no doubt that Amalia will do big things in her career, and I look forward to helping other students connect their learning to earning.”
