My journey With CFTEA Proves That One Course Can Open a Lifetime of Doors

I am incredibly proud to have a relationship with CFTEA that spans 20 years. Our journey began in the fall of 2005 when I enrolled in my first course as a teller at Bath Savings. You guessed it – Principles of Banking! This course remains one of the first that many employees of the Bank take to gain foundational knowledge of the banking industry.

I was new to banking after spending time working in sales and studying early childhood education. In May of 2006, I passed my Certified Teller Exam (updated as the Certified Modern Banking Representative), and still proudly display the medallion in my office. Over the next decade, I took numerous classes covering a wide range of topics. CFTEA helped me build a solid foundation in banking through taking courses in sales, laws and regulations, and human relations.

I am so thankful that the leadership at our organization supports employee growth and professional development. In 2013, thanks in part to the knowledge and skills I gained through CFTEA courses, I had the opportunity to join our leadership team as the supervisor of Loan Servicing. Once again, CFTEA was there with courses to support my career growth and help advance my supervisory skills. I encouraged others to invest in their own growth and development through the many offerings at CFTEA. At the same time, I was able to dive deeper into lending when a coworker taught Consumer Lending in-house. I remember thinking we should have more courses available in-house (more on that later).

During my time as a supervisor in Loan Servicing I noticed CFTEA didn’t seem to offer a lot of course options for back-office staff. In 2019, I worked with CFTEA’s Executive Director, Andrew, to help design certificate and diploma programs for both Loan Servicing and Deposit Operations. I enjoyed working in a capacity to help create opportunities for others in back-office roles to continue growing and developing their skills and knowledge. Shortly after that, I joined the Regional Advisory Council, and the Education Committee where my passion for the field of learning and development continued to strengthen.

A little over a year ago, I became the person in the Bank responsible for helping create, implement and facilitate the Bank’s training programs. Prior to working with CFTEA on the council and the education committee, I don’t know if I would have had the confidence to take on this new role. Taking courses and being part of the CFTEA community has helped me grow personally and professionally.

I recently attended the Modern Classroom Certified Trainer program and have plans to begin offering CFTEA courses in-house later this year. Without the tools, skills and knowledge CFTEA has provided me with, I wouldn’t be the trainer or employee I am today. Thank you, CFTEA, for offering relevant education at an affordable price point!

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