The Becoming a Banker series features real, Central National Bank employees who have found a rewarding career in banking. We hope you enjoy knowing a little bit about the people who serve you.
Picture it. Topeka, 2020.
The Pandemic had just hit and I was laid off from my job in event planning and coordination. Even as we started to ride out the pandemic, I began to predict that my job might not be secure. So once the inevitable happened I had to re-evaluate my skills and start comparing them to what jobs might be a good fit.
Luckily, I landed a job as a teller. Within three months I was asked if I would be interested in becoming a personal banker. I applied, not knowing too much about it. I quickly found the job to be rewarding.
In fact, I remember the day I discovered the impact we can have on people’s lives. A customer came to the branch and was quite rude to a coworker. They were stressed over some aspect of their finances.
I also remember fearing that I had made a BIG mistake in changing jobs.
But, as I witnessed the way the customer’s problems were handled it became clear to me that being a banker is about more than handling deposits and withdrawals or opening an account. In fact, I have realized that the job provided me with the change I was seeking, but it wasn’t the change I anticipated.
Becoming a banker has taught me not to judge. I learned that everyone we provide service to has a story. A background. And, behind everything happening in the moment there’s a deeper story.
I discovered that the cliché saying, “be the change you wish to see in the world,” is actually attainable. You can be the change. Even your smile goes a long way toward improving someone’s day. Sometimes our customers not only need us for their banking, but they need a person, a light, someone to guide them or help them. It might not even be related to banking.
To make someone’s day better is a gift. You may never know exactly what someone is going through or what their personal situations involve – but when you serve with compassion it’s sometimes really easy to see the effects of your service on the customer. One huge reward for me has been the change in self-awareness and my perception of people and situations.
That’s my story. I look forward to the next thirty years! Along the way I’ll try to keep fine-tuning, never stop listening, and pursuing change – even if it’s just a tiny adjustment. We all know not every day is a 100%, go-getter day. We all have our moments, but that’s OKAY! Just don’t stop. Keep aiming for growth.
And, if you’re not having a great day, know a better one is possible. Tomorrow, and the next day.
If you’re looking for a professional career with room to grow, try banking! We provide on-the-job training and some great people to work with!
If you are interested in open positions at Central National Bank, visit https://centralnational.com/careers/ to learn more!
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled