Schenectady High students enjoy in-school credit union

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Schenectady High School senior Justin Rising accessed his First New York Federal Credit Union account in between classes Friday, which marked the Patriot branch’s opening this school year.

“It’s definitely more convenient because every Friday they’re here,” Rising said as student teller Clarisse Ramlal handed him money.

The branch is open 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays and has been operating at the school since 2005.

Rising, who has had an account at the branch since his freshman year at Schenectady High, has earned 15 movie tickets from the credit union’s rewards program as he uses the branch to manage his finances.

“Just coming here every Friday, I know I have my money here and I know where to get money out,” he said.

Ramlal became a teller in February 2007 and has since been promoted to a teller coordinator at the school’s branch. “It’s really fun,” the senior said. “It’s a good experience. I want to go into something business-related.”

Schenectady High School Principal Paul Scampini said the credit union branch gives an opportunity for students to take what they’re learning in the classroom and put it into practice without having to leave the school building.

According to business education teacher Diane Allegro, the branch does at least 40 transactions during its limited hours.

Allegro said the school’s branch gives students the opportunity to transition from the school’s location into summer teller positions and longer-term employment with the credit union at other branches.

Maurice Brown III, 19, of Schenectady, a Schenectady High graduate, began training in late August and is now a teller at the credit union’s Union Street branch.

Brown started as a teller at Schenectady High in his sophomore year and was a teller coordinator by his senior year. He left to go to college in Buffalo for a year but came back to the Capital Region for family reasons. He credits his stint at Schenectady High for landing him his current job while he takes classes at Schenectady County Community College.

“That prepared me for this. That gave me the necessary background,” Brown said. “I’m just advancing as I go along.”