F&M Trust hosts students in Shippensburg University Banking Externship Program
May 17, 2023
F&M Trust knows the value of a good partnership. That’s why the Chambersburg-based bank was eager to host students this week as part of the Banking Externship Program at Shippensburg University.
The PA Bankers Association developed the program in conjunction with Shippensburg University to provide in-depth opportunities and early talent experiences focused on the banking industry for college-age students, according to Karen McDermott, Senior Director of Membership for the PA Bankers Association. During the weeklong program, students spend their mornings exploring an aspect of the banking industry through a classroom session on campus, then travel to a local bank in the afternoon to further explore that 
area of banking.
On Tuesday, 15 students in the program’s inaugural cohort visited F&M Trust’s new corporate headquarters on Nitterhouse Drive in Chambersburg to explore the topic of wealth management. Six employees, including two Shippensburg University graduates, from the bank’s Investment & Trust Services division discussed their roles in managing more than $1 billion in assets for clients.
“Shippensburg University has a long relationship with F&M Trust when it comes to on-campus recruitment of full-time and part-time positions, as well as interns,” said Alix Rouby, Director of Internships and Experiential Learning at Shippensburg University. “When we were looking for member banks that were within close proximity of our campus, F&M Trust naturally came to mind.”
Rouby said Shippensburg University has worked with the PA Bankers Association for several years on weekly career skills development sessions that are delivered virtually to interns at member banks across the state. This externship is an extension of that partnership, Rouby said. Other on-site experiences focus on retail banking, commercial banking, credit management, and banking support services.
“We enjoyed getting to know the students and were impressed by their interest in learning about F&M Trust. They were actively engaged throughout the session, provided their perspectives, and asked great
questions, which made it an enriching experience for everyone involved,” said Dr. Karen Carmack, Chief Human Resources Officer for F&M Trust. “Hopefully, the students came away with a greater understanding of Investment & Trust Services and how it can be a meaningful career path for them to consider within banking.”
Shippensburg University hopes that participants in the program gain a better understanding of the types of opportunities that exist in the banking industry and are encouraged to apply for those positions upon graduation, Rouby said.
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