Name: Jada Abner  |  Age: 25  |  Hometown: Texarkana  |  College: University of Arkansas  |  Degree: Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources: Workplace Development | Job Title: Supervisor, Learning & Development |  Employer: Farmers Bank & Trust

Why did you choose a career in this field?

After working at Farmers Bank & Trust for nine months, I became a mentor. As a mentor, I trained new hires by teaching them how to complete various tasks. I taught them the ins and outs of the organization. I learned that I enjoyed coaching others and felt a sense of achievement after they were fully trained. This realization sparked an interest in me to work in the learning and development department.

Did you always plan to go this route?

No. I originally went to school to become a veterinarian. I began working in the banking industry through a part-time job in between college semesters and realized that working in banking was more intriguing to me. I enjoyed working with the customers and helping them with everyday financial issues they encountered. After working as a banker for two years, I was fortunate to transition into working as a trainer.

How did getting your bachelor's degree prepare you for this role?

[It] was enormously helpful. During school, I was able to build various training programs, I learned about diversity in the workplace and how differences can affect training, and I was able to learn how to aid employees in their career development.

Why do you think students should consider a career like yours?

My career is very fulfilling. Being fortunate to have the opportunity to help people advance in their own careers is a very rewarding job. Being a trainer means making a significant impact on the organization and its employees by motivating and helping to achieve elevated performance levels.

What skills do people need to succeed in this field?

Being confident when delivering information to a group of people makes you look more credible and competent.

How do you feel about this statement: “I can’t work in a financial role because I’m not good at (or hate) math”?

Even if someone isn’t the best at math, not all positions in banking revolve around it. There are plenty of other sectors of financial institutions that are not heavily reliant on math such as IT, facilities, marketing, etc.