Virginia Credit Union Supports Career Exploration Opportunities for 15,000 Students

Virginia Credit Union recently supported three regional career exploration initiatives that reached 15,000 middle and high school students, demonstrating the credit union’s ongoing commitment to youth development in the communities it serves.

As a Platinum-level sponsor, VACU provided $15,000 in financial support for ChamberRVA and Junior Achievement's Mission Tomorrow event, held October 22-24. The three-day event connected 12,000 eighth-grade students from all Richmond-area school divisions with 100 area businesses, exposing them to career opportunities in high-demand industries. Twenty-three VACU staff members volunteered at the event, serving as exhibitors and assisting with logistics.

"At VACU, we recognize the importance of supporting the success of our youth, so Mission Tomorrow is a valued partnership because it empowers and motivates young people to begin career planning and explore career interests confidently," said VACU Senior Vice President for Financial Education Cherry Dale, who serves on the Mission Tomorrow steering committee. "It's about helping these middle schoolers develop purpose and a sense of direction as they think about high school and beyond."

Dale noted that VACU's participation in career exploration events like Mission Tomorrow enables the credit union to spotlight the diversity of career paths available within the financial services industry — from traditional roles like tellers and loan managers to careers in fields such as data security, regulatory compliance, data analytics, human resources, and marketing.

VACU provided three volunteers to support the Worlds of Opportunity Career Expo in Lynchburg last month, reaching 2,600 middle school students. Sponsored by the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, Worlds of Opportunity enables students to learn more about local businesses and the career opportunities available regionally.

VACU also demonstrated its commitment to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education when 10 employees volunteered at the Thinking Big event in October hosted by Richmond-based nonprofit GiSTEM Inc. The organization prepares students for careers in STEM fields.

More than 400 high school students from Richmond and Petersburg public schools participated in the Thinking Big event, where VACU volunteers served as group leaders and assisted with logistics. VACU also provided financial support for the event, continuing the credit union's longtime support of GiSTEM and its programs.

"We know there is a growing need for workers in the STEM fields, and we appreciate the opportunity to support young people pursuing opportunities in those fields," said VACU Senior Vice President of Data Analytics Lee Brooks. "We also know how important a STEM-educated workforce is in our own industry, with our focus on problem-solving, analytical skills, and innovation. Programs like Thinking Big allow young people to explore STEM-based careers, gain skills, network, and grow their confidence."