“Whatever a professional education looks like for you is within your reach through CFTEA.” “It’s not a race, enjoy the journey.”

Suggested to me by a mentor in 1986, “if you want to help people get a job in banking.” I will never forget that statement because it launched me into a banking career where I can only hope I have had a positive impact and have helped people along the way.

However, I did not have a formal education and quickly concluded it would be wise to take finance classes. I worked at a local Vermont bank that paid for classes, and they recommended CFTEA naturally. I took one class at a time for over 10 years.

As my education progressed, so did my confidence. Next step was the CCV class “Portfolio Assessment” which provides credit for your previous work and life experience, business knowledge, and classes. The CFTEA courses helped me earn 36 college credits in one semester.

Now I am becoming brave, and my interest is peaking for career advancement and more education. I was a junior fixed asset accountant at the same local VT bank and had gained quite a bit of knowledge in the back office “procedures.” Humming along until one day my manager said, “you should think about retail management I think you would be great.” My first branch retail management position was in 1997. I loved that aspect of retail banking because I was a part of “team” that was customer facing every single day. My specialty over the years became working in branches that were struggling in one way or more and providing leadership, education and motivation until they could stand on their own two feet. I worked myself out of a job regularly but what a great feeling to see a group of colleagues take over like pros.

Champlain College was my next adventure where I would earn an undergraduate degree in business management and history; then go on to earn my master’s degree in law in 2016, twenty years after I started this journey. I was a legacy student following in my mother’s footsteps.

Eventually I was offered an opportunity to manage the opening of two brand new retail branches from the ground up; then oversee a retail portion of a bank acquisition outside of Vermont. Incredible challenges and so much fun.

Commercial banking and lending became my passion which I still have the pleasure of doing today to serve my community. I have had the extreme honor of teaching at Community College of Vermont following in my father’s and stepdad’s footsteps.

Recently I said to a group of CFTEA colleagues and students; “be squiggly in your career path.” Ask about and research anything of interest to you. Being “squiggly” simply means you do not have to follow the same old career ladder with only one direction. Opportunities can take us in many directions.

CFTEA is “squiggly”, offering endless opportunities for education and career changes, being with these teachers and students and mentors is where I learned that true leadership is being in the “background,” not the front of the stage.

Sincerely,

Maureen Golden

CFTEA Board Member CFTEA teacher and student

Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer

Community National Bank

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