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Up Close & Virtualu® with Linda Childears,
President of both a real bank and a non-profit organization whose mission is the financial education for young people. The Young Americans Bank is the only real bank in the world just for young people. The non-profit organization she heads focuses its many programs on financial and economic education. With over 30 years of Banking experience, she has a wealth of information to share. Read, Learn and be Inspired by Linda Childears as she shares her industry experience, insights and expertise...
Educational Background:
University of Denver; University of Wisconsin, Graduate School of Banking; American Institute of Banking; over 30 years banking experience. 30-year banking career with numerous leadership rolesincluding Vice President at First National Bancorporation, President at Equitable Bank of Littleton, and President of the Financial Consortium - a banking industry consultancy. She has served the industry as a board member for the Colorado Bankers Association, the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado, the Colorado Student Loan Program and as Chairman of the American Bankers Association Education Foundation. She also served as Chairman of National Camp Fire and many other national and local boards.
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Tell us about your company, your area of expertise, responsibilities.
Young Americans Center for Financial Education is home to Young Americans Bank, the only real bank in the world just for young people, and numerous non-profit programs, including Young AmeriTowne, a hands-on program in free enterprise, International Towne, a middle school global economics program, and other classes and programs focusing on financial and economic education.
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Describe a day in your professional life...
Every day is very different. Some days I spend a lot of time in meetings - with directors, committees, staff members, management team, etc. I receive dozens of calls, emails and letters every day - all of which I respond to within a 24-hour period. Because I am president of both a real bank and a non-profit organization, my job is quite varied. I deal with regulators and fundraisers, toddler bank customers and teen program participants.
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How is technology impacting the nature of your work and how you do your work?
Technology is constantly on the move. In the banking world we have to be aware of privacy issues and other concerns as we prepare our young customers for internet banking. In our program world, we must keep up with how technology is impacting business, as some of our programs simulate the business world.
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Was there a lesson or skill learned from your first job that has been invaluable on your career path?
Good customer service. My first job was at Hodel’s Drug and my boss, Ron Hodel, was big on treating the customers well.
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What is your work ethic, and how did it develop? Why do you get up to go to work everyday? What inspires you?
Several people influenced my work ethics - Ron Hodel, Bob Binder and Bill Daniels. I observed their work habits and ethics, how they treated other people, and, in return, how they were treated and respected by others. Good role models and mentors are invaluable! What inspires me? The mission of my organization (financial education for young people) and loving my job.
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What advice would you give to potential job applicants to help them succeed in the ever-changing global marketplace?
Be flexible, pursue what you love, and establish balance in your life - a balance of family, fun, spiritual, work, whatever is important in your life.
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Do you have suggestions of any professional associations, trade journals, periodicals, events, etc. that someone pursuing a career in your field should be aware of &/or attend?
Keep reading everything you can get your hands on. In my case, that’s a mix of banking and non-profit publications. Keep up with a general awareness of the world around you.
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Are there any emerging trends in yourindustry/company that will impact your hiring criteria?
There aren’t any particular trends that are impacting our industry. But our tough economic times dictate that those looking for jobs be sharp, have a great resume, and do their homework about the company they are applying with before they apply and/or appear for an interview. We recently advertised for an accounting position and received 168 applications!
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Has Higher Education been important in your career path? What educational advice would you give to viewers? Tell us the path you took to where you are today.
Higher education is very important, as is experience. If you’re in doubt what direction to take, start with a good general education. Then later you can specialize in a specific field.
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Tell us about your Organization’s Diversity/Women’s Programs: What is your company doing to educate employees on valuing diversity in the workplace?
Workplace diversity is very important to our organization. We don’t have a specific program in place, though we constantly strive to keep our staff very diverse.
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What women have inspired you on your career path? How?
My former mother-in-law. She had four children and was an entrepreneur who started a credit union. She somehow managed to balance family with work and was fearless through all of it
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What challenges have you faced in business because you are a woman? Share your strategies for overcoming them.
My MBA set me apart. I’ve needed it for the things that I’ve done. I’ve been fortunate to have strong role models - most of them men who really believed in me. My father did the most to boost my self-confidence. He made me realize that there is nothing that can stop me from doing what I love!
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How do yo maintain balance in your life? or Do you?!
Finding balance in your life is very important, yet it takes work. Set goals and keep working toward them. If you don’t meet a goal, don’t give up - keep going. I think women tend to feel guilty for not getting everything done. That’s a tough hurdle to overcome, so take it a step at a time and don’t be so hard on yourself!
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Share your Favorite Inspiration Quote or Words of Wisdom:
If you love your job, you won’t work a day in your life!
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Thank you Linda Childears for sharing your insights and experience!
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