Empowering First-Generation Students: Cristo Rey and U.S. Bank Partnership Success Story
Jorge Estudillo-Castillo’s interest in a banking career was sparked during his time at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Twin Cities, where he interned at a U.S. Bank branch in Minneapolis. Now a college student studying finance and working as a U.S. Bank teller, Estudillo-Castillo reflects on his journey, noting his drive to push himself and exceed expectations.
His internship at U.S. Bank, a requirement at Cristo Rey, provided him with a valuable opportunity to grow and develop before finishing high school. During his two years at Cristo Rey, he worked closely with René Madrid, the South Minneapolis branch manager, gaining firsthand experience of banking operations and personal growth.
Estudillo-Castillo recalls his initial shyness and hesitation when he first joined the branch. However, under Madrid’s guidance, he has grown in confidence and capability. He continues to work at the same branch as a peak-time teller while pursuing his college degree.
Madrid emphasizes the importance of understanding and supporting each student’s unique circumstances and challenges. He shares an example of an intern who struggled to engage during the COVID pandemic due to family responsibilities, prompting the U.S. Bank team to adapt their support approach.
U.S. Bank’s commitment to nurturing young talent in the financial sector is evident in their partnerships and programs. In 2023, they welcomed over 500 early talent individuals from high schools and colleges, kickstarting their banking careers.
Madrid stresses the importance of understanding each student’s goals and providing them with the right opportunities. He recalls how Estudillo-Castillo approached him before graduating from Cristo Rey, eager to secure a position at the bank post-internship.
The success stories of students like Estudillo-Castillo highlight the positive impact of collaborations between Cristo Rey and local companies in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
“We want to partner with employers who see potential in our students and with employers our students see potential in,” said Jason Morrison, president of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Twin Cities.
Cristo Rey, a school dedicated to preparing students for college and the workforce, mandates internships for all students as a graduation requirement. Morrison notes that most of their graduates are first-generation students or the first in their families to join a professional workforce. The internships provide these students with opportunities to build relationships and network in industries they might not have been exposed to otherwise.
The collaboration between Cristo Rey and U.S. Bank extends beyond individual interns, often leading to a broader dissemination of knowledge within the community. Kesiah Kolbow, director of the Cristo Rey Corporate Works Study Program, shares how students return from their internships at the branch with new vocabulary, insights, and learnings. This knowledge sharing contributes to an equitable partnership between the school, the student, and U.S. Bank, promoting financial literacy among peers and families.
Estudillo-Castillo, now a college student, plans to continue his career with the bank and explore the path to becoming a mortgage loan officer. He credits his growth to the confidence and motivation instilled in him by Madrid during his internship. Madrid, in turn, finds immense satisfaction in supporting young adults as they transition into the workforce, viewing it as an opportunity to share his own personal journey.
“My favorite thing about my work is how I serve as a role model and coach,” said Madrid.
“I started as a peak time teller, and I share that with them. Having them see themselves in myself and my peers is one of my greatest joys.”
His internship at U.S. Bank, a requirement at Cristo Rey, provided him with a valuable opportunity to grow and develop before finishing high school. During his two years at Cristo Rey, he worked closely with René Madrid, the South Minneapolis branch manager, gaining firsthand experience of banking operations and personal growth.
Estudillo-Castillo recalls his initial shyness and hesitation when he first joined the branch. However, under Madrid’s guidance, he has grown in confidence and capability. He continues to work at the same branch as a peak-time teller while pursuing his college degree.
Madrid emphasizes the importance of understanding and supporting each student’s unique circumstances and challenges. He shares an example of an intern who struggled to engage during the COVID pandemic due to family responsibilities, prompting the U.S. Bank team to adapt their support approach.
U.S. Bank’s commitment to nurturing young talent in the financial sector is evident in their partnerships and programs. In 2023, they welcomed over 500 early talent individuals from high schools and colleges, kickstarting their banking careers.
Madrid stresses the importance of understanding each student’s goals and providing them with the right opportunities. He recalls how Estudillo-Castillo approached him before graduating from Cristo Rey, eager to secure a position at the bank post-internship.
The success stories of students like Estudillo-Castillo highlight the positive impact of collaborations between Cristo Rey and local companies in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
“We want to partner with employers who see potential in our students and with employers our students see potential in,” said Jason Morrison, president of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Twin Cities.
Cristo Rey, a school dedicated to preparing students for college and the workforce, mandates internships for all students as a graduation requirement. Morrison notes that most of their graduates are first-generation students or the first in their families to join a professional workforce. The internships provide these students with opportunities to build relationships and network in industries they might not have been exposed to otherwise.
The collaboration between Cristo Rey and U.S. Bank extends beyond individual interns, often leading to a broader dissemination of knowledge within the community. Kesiah Kolbow, director of the Cristo Rey Corporate Works Study Program, shares how students return from their internships at the branch with new vocabulary, insights, and learnings. This knowledge sharing contributes to an equitable partnership between the school, the student, and U.S. Bank, promoting financial literacy among peers and families.
Estudillo-Castillo, now a college student, plans to continue his career with the bank and explore the path to becoming a mortgage loan officer. He credits his growth to the confidence and motivation instilled in him by Madrid during his internship. Madrid, in turn, finds immense satisfaction in supporting young adults as they transition into the workforce, viewing it as an opportunity to share his own personal journey.
“My favorite thing about my work is how I serve as a role model and coach,” said Madrid.
“I started as a peak time teller, and I share that with them. Having them see themselves in myself and my peers is one of my greatest joys.”
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