By Kimba Evans
When students think of banking, many picture vaults, money counters, or briefcases – but on May 1st, 2025, Old National Bank – Greater Lafayette showed them that financial services are far more dynamic, human-centered, and essential to everyday life than they imagined.
A Day of Immersive Learning
Hosted at River City Community Center, the Financial Services Bootcamp welcomed students into a full day of interactive learning. Career+ Pathways, Greater Lafayette Commerce, & The Old National Bank team designed each session to combine professional insight with hands-on application, giving students a taste of what working in the financial industry actually looks like.
Here’s what the day included:
- Mortgage: Students evaluated first-time homebuyer applications, learning how credit, income, and debt-to-income ratios affect approvals.
- Investments: Teams applied the 50/30/20 budgeting rule and calculated compound interest to understand how small savings grow over time.
- Retail Banking: Students practiced customer service skills by solving real-world banking scenarios, building communication and problem-solving confidence.
- Recruiting: Students stepped into the shoes of hiring managers to evaluate candidate profiles for bank roles. The exercise turned into a respectful debate about candidate fit, sparking critical thinking and lively discussion.
- Security: Students identified cybersecurity threats and collaborated on best practices to protect customer information.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Students rated the bootcamp highly, with 100% of participants giving it a 4 or 5 out of 5, describing the experience as “good” or “excellent.” When asked if the bootcamp helped them develop industry-relevant skills, every student said yes or somewhat. Their reflections highlighted both practical skills gained and new career insights:
“Loved the examples of accounting. Made me realize that I want to be an accountant.”
“I practiced customer service, budgeting, and how to work in a bank. I now understand better what skills are needed in this industry.”
Students shared that the most valuable skills and knowledge included:
- Understanding credit scores and investments
- Practicing budgeting and financial planning
- Learning how to evaluate mortgage applications
- Building communication and customer service skills
Even students who may not pursue a banking career left with stronger financial literacy and real-world confidence that will benefit them wherever they go.
Career Interest Sparked
While not every student left the bootcamp planning to pursue a career in banking, the experience opened their eyes to possibilities they hadn’t considered before. Some students expressed genuine interest in exploring jobs, internships, or further training in financial services. Others shared that, even if banking isn’t their career path, they now feel more confident about managing their own finances and understanding how the industry works.
For many, the biggest takeaway was simply seeing professionals in action and realizing that financial services is about helping people achieve their goals, keeping money safe, and building stronger communities.
This kind of exposure builds curiosity and confidence, which are two things every student needs, no matter where their path leads next.
Why Old National Bank Stands Out
The success of this bootcamp came down to how Old National Bank showed up. Professionals like Amber Holle, Heather Thompson, Michael Koger, Pennie Gillock, Jeannie Vester, Kyle Werkmeister, Phil Hamand, Keith Loving, and Moussa Ibrahim didn’t just share information; they created conversations, challenged students to think critically, and made them feel respected.
During the Lunch & Learn, Moussa Ibrahim emphasized how financial knowledge can change lives and strengthen entire communities. It was a message students will carry with them long after the day ended.
Building the Future Workforce, Together
At Career+ Pathways, we believe every student deserves to see what’s possible beyond the classroom. We are grateful to Old National Bank for making this bootcamp a success and for investing in students’ confidence, curiosity, and future skills.
If your organization wants to inspire students and build your future talent pipeline, reach out to us at partnerships@careerpluspathways.org . Together, we can open doors and empower the next generation for success!
Bio
Kimba Evans is a workforce training and career development specialist with a background in psychology and a focus on helping students connect education to real career opportunities. She’s currently completing her master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, which informs her work designing programs that support student growth, skill development, and long-term success. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, reading, and spending time with her family, fiancé, and two dogs.
