It’s hard to believe another summer supporting the Academy of Finance (AOF) internship program is over. But for Ja’Mia Canadiate, our AOF intern from Brandon High School, it was a life-changing six weeks.

Incoming seniors like Ja’Mia are required to complete a six-week summer internship as part of the AOF Program and Grow Financial partnered with the AOF again this year to host a summer intern.

The seed for the idea of an internship at Grow was planted early for Ja’Mia. She had the opportunity to attend a job shadowing day with us earlier this year and knew this was the business she wanted to work for during her summer internship.

“It was so great to see how well everyone gets along at Grow. Everyone was so friendly, and it seemed like a fun place to work,” Ja’Mia said.

One of Ja’Mia’s top strengths is that her desire for a successful future drives her inspiration to succeed now. Her future is always top-of-mind and was instrumental in her decision to be a part of the AOF. She’s been a member of the AOF since she was a freshman and was excited for the opportunity to shape her future through the summer internship program.

“I really hoped this internship would teach me about all aspects of the finance business and would help me determine what I’m looking for in a career,” she shared.

And by the end of the six weeks, she had done just that. Ja’Mia came to Grow with plans to get her bachelor’s degree in business and one day own her own pharmacy. At the close of her internship, she still wants to pursue a business degree but with the end goal of working in the financial industry.

Ja’Mia hopes to attend college close to home and has already expressed an interest in coming back to work with us here at Grow.

“It’s like you’re a big family here, not just a place you guys come to work, and I’d love to be part of that in the future,” she said.

Justin Yent, AVP, Loan Resolution, and one of her mentors for the summer, reflected on the internship, “We were very proud to have Ja’Mia in our department this summer. She is a shining example of what the future is going to be, and we would be happy to have her back!”

Whatever her future holds, we are proud to have played a role in her success and wish her all the best!

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