OCC Partners with the District of Columbia to Launch Summer Internship for Washington Rising Seniors

WASHINGTON—Comptroller of the Currency Joseph M. Otting today joined Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel E. Bowser to welcome 81 rising seniors from D.C. area high schools to the inaugural OCC High School Scholars Intern Program.

Offered in partnership with the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES), the program expands students’ career opportunities by exposing them to the operations of a federal agency, financial services regulation, and the banking industry. It provides meaningful experience through hands-on learning in a professional work environment. During the six week program that officially begins June 24 and runs through August 2, 2019, the participants will work alongside high-achieving, dedicated professionals who have chosen to serve the nation by working to ensure the federal banking system operates in a safe, sound, and fair manner.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for these young adults to experience the many different functions that work together to fulfill the OCC’s important mission,” said Comptroller Otting. “The program will enrich the lives of the participants and OCC employees, while promoting diversity and inclusion here at the OCC.”

"For 40 years, the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program has provided young people in Washington, DC the opportunities and experiences they need to succeed,” said Mayor Bowser. “This year, we are thankful to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for working with us to bring this new partnership to life and investing in our youth—the future of our community.”

The OCC selected the 50 young women and 31 young men after a rigorous nomination, interview, and application process. They are seniors from area public and charter schools that include Anacostia High School, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus, Eastern High School, Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools, and Columbia Heights Education Campus.

The program includes a paid internship, covers certain other expenses, and provides meaningful life skills and experience that include financial literacy, leadership, diversity and inclusion training, public speaking, resume writing, and navigating social media successfully. In addition, participants will gain experience in bank supervision, policy, legal, management, financial management, risk management, technology, economics, enterprise governance, risk management, and public affairs.

The program is consistent with directives in the Dodd-Frank Act for agencies to identify and create more economic opportunity for minorities and people from underserved areas. This is the 40^th year that DOES has provided enriching and constructive summer work experiences through subsidized placements in the private and government sectors to District youth ages 14 to 24. This year DOES is providing opportunities to more than 11,000 students at 1,700 worksites around the nation’s capital.

Related Link

• District of Columbia Department of Employment Services