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Amanda, Vice President, Education & Social Impact at California Credit Union League, Nevada's Credit Unions and the Utah Credit Union Association: Advize Career Interview
This interview unveils the dynamic career of a Vice President of Education & Social Impact within the credit union sphere.
Starting with a foundation built upon volunteer work and board positions in non-profits, this professional now shapes education and social responsibility initiatives across multiple states.
A typical day involves everything from managing staff and vetting conference speakers to lobbying and supporting credit unions with impactful programs like green energy lending.
Success in this role demands creative thinking, contract negotiation skills, and fostering a mission-driven culture, all while helping people.
This professional's passion is fueled by witnessing the tangible impact of their work and the unwavering support of the credit union community during crises.
While challenges include delivering engaging and valuable educational experiences, they are proud to work in an industry centered around "people helping people." Aspiring professionals can gain valuable experience through entry-level positions like bank tellers, leveraging employer-provided learning opportunities, and actively volunteering to develop diverse skill sets.
Embracing prior life experiences as strengths, like juggling family duties, can pave the way for rapid career advancement, and networking through organizations like Alumni Associations can further boost professional growth.
Sac State played a crucial role, providing supportive faculty and valuable connections through the Alumni Association.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Amanda Garcia-Merz
Vice President, Education & Social Impact
California Credit Union League, Nevada's Credit Unions and the Utah Credit Union Association
Sacramento State
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
English, Writing & Education
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Education
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student
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Career Path Of A Vice President Education And Social Impact At Credit Union League Of California Nevada And Utah
Amanda began career as an adult with three children, completing college while being at home with them for 18 years. In order to pursue a career in social and community impact, Amanda chose to work with nonprofits by "volunteering or sitting on boards" and "looking at fundraising opportunities" to strengthen their missions.
Main Responsibilities of a Vice President Education and Social Impact at California Credit Union League
Amanda's responsibilities as Vice President encompass both education and social impact, where, on the education side, the role manages a team that delivers "topics of interest to the credit union industry" through various channels, ensuring compliance and providing "soft education components." Further, the role is responsible for fulfilling credit unions' unique community and social responsibilities through "granting and funding opportunities, sponsorships, [and] volunteerism."
A Day in the Life of a Vice President Education and Social Impact at California Nevada and Utah Credit Union League and Association
A VP of Education and Social Impact's day is varied, ranging from internal staff management to external engagements such as vetting speakers for conferences by "reviewing their own onstage presence" and lobbying legislators regarding credit union-related bills. Work also involves directly supporting credit unions through webinars on social impact topics like CDFI components and green energy lending, all with the overarching goal of helping credit unions "build better striving, thriving communities."
Most Important Skills for a Vice President, Education and Social Impact at California Nevada and Utah Credit Unions
For a role like Amanda's, encompassing education and social impact, the ability to "think outside of the box" and act as a "dot connector" is crucial, facilitating connections between individuals to optimize their work. Furthermore, success requires the ability to negotiate contracts and, most importantly, foster a culture that aligns with the industry's mission, "building something creatively together."
Favorite Parts Of Being A Vice President Education And Social Impact At Credit Union League
Amanda, a VP of Education & Social Impact, finds immense satisfaction in seeing educational concepts and conference ideas transform from mere thoughts into tangible, impactful experiences, especially when attendees benefit from the content being provided. The most fulfilling aspect of the role lies in witnessing the credit union community's unwavering support and collective action during times of crisis, such as the California fires, where credit unions rallied to assist both victims and staff, proving that work is done "with purpose."
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Vice President, Education at Credit Unions
Amanda's biggest challenge in providing education is two-fold: ensuring all necessary job components are covered, and, more significantly, guaranteeing the chosen content and speakers provide the "best option that a credit union employee can have to value their time and money," acknowledging the inherent risk that attendees may not enjoy the selected content, even with careful vetting. This challenge highlights the pressure to deliver valuable, engaging educational experiences that meet the diverse needs and preferences of the credit union community Amanda serves.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Credit Union Industry As A Vice President Education And Social Impact
Amanda enjoys the unique nature of the credit union industry, highlighting that it is "built specifically to support different types of industries or regions" and driven by a "responsibility... to do good people helping people," which includes providing services to underserved communities as exemplified by the credit union formed to support Japanese Americans after World War II when they could not obtain banking products elsewhere. Amanda's role in education and social impact is therefore deeply intertwined with the core mission of credit unions to serve their members and communities in ways that traditional banks may not.
What Type of Person Thrives in the Credit Union Industry According to a Credit Union Vice President
According to Amanda, a Vice President, Education & Social Impact, people who thrive in the credit union industry need to understand regulatory and compliance components, but the industry offers a wide variety of roles, from marketing and frontline staff to legal and government relations, meaning there is "typically a job for everyone's interests." The credit union industry would especially suit "anyone who wants to do good work" in a field that aligns with their interests while also supporting the "people helping people mission."
What A Vice President Education And Social Impact At A Credit Union Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Credit Union Industry
Amanda, a VP of Education & Social Impact, wishes someone had highlighted the overwhelming amount of banking acronyms beforehand, noting that "the same acronym can definitely mean different things" across industries, such as in education; furthermore, Amanda underscores the importance of understanding the regulatory and compliance aspects of the banking industry due to the heavy "government initiated controls".
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Financial Professionals
Amanda suggests that a valuable entry-level position for undergraduate or graduate students interested in finance is working as a bank teller, as it provides a "clear cut understanding of finances" and valuable skills like customer service while being paid to learn. Gaining this understanding is especially important now, given that "financial education is at a downturn," and this role offers firsthand experience with the realities of personal finance, such as credit card debt and building credit.
Significant Career Lesson From a Vice President Education And Social Impact at California Nevada And Utah Credit Unions
Amanda, a VP of Education & Social Impact, emphasizes the importance of capitalizing on learning opportunities provided by employers, stating that many people, "especially right after college," overlook benefits like LinkedIn Learning subscriptions, tuition reimbursement, or student loan assistance. Amanda further suggests proactively inquiring with HR about potential new educational benefits to "significantly help you and others" advance professionally within the company.
College Experiences That Helped a Vice President Education and Social Impact at Credit Union Industry Succeed
Amanda, a VP of Education & Social Impact, emphasizes that "volunteering while you're in college is a definite way...to engage in a different way," allowing for development of diverse skill sets, like website building or event planning, that complement academic studies and provide a safer space to learn and grow. This experience ultimately helps students "offer [an] employer...something that you've learned additional than just your studies," and in Amanda's case, helped them land their first job.
How Identity Has Influenced A Vice President, Education And Social Impact At Credit Unions' Career
Navigating a career as an adult learner meant recognizing that prior experiences, like being a stay-at-home parent, were not deficits but valuable assets, leading to qualifications in "juggling duties" and creative problem-solving. Amanda's journey proves that through hard work and self-belief, one can quickly advance beyond initial roles, leveraging the wisdom gained from life experiences to achieve significant career growth, such as becoming a vice president in a short time.
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