Money Matters
Money Matters
What Two High School Seniors Learned Inside A Credit Union Internship
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We hand the studio over to two student interns, Mason and Liam, to hear what it’s really like learning money skills inside a credit union. They share how the internship changes the way they think about budgeting, credit, debt, and the real costs of senior year.
• joining the East Baton Rouge Parish Student Internship Program for the stipend and the experience
• getting matched with Neighbors Federal Credit Union and rotating through departments
• expectations versus reality across marketing, collections, lending support, and the support center
• what collections teaches about missed payments, overdrafts, and getting back on track
• why budgeting “makes or breaks” your future and how teens can start now
• how to use a first credit card responsibly by paying it off monthly
• what actually builds a credit score over time and why payment history matters most
• how to budget for senior year fees, applications, and surprise costs
• advice for other students considering the internship program
Stay on track with your financial journey. Subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast, and visit neighborsfcu.org slash financial wellness for more tools to help you build a strong financial future.
Have an idea for a show or a question for Kim? Send us a text message
Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that focuses on how to use the money you have, make the money you need and save the money you want – brought to you by Neighbors Federal Credit Union.
The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.
Counselors Take Over The Mic
SPEAKER_00Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that focuses on how to use the money you have, make the money you need, and save the money you want. Now, here is your host, Ms. Kim Chapman.
SPEAKER_01Good morning, everyone. So I'm sure you know by now Kim has not transformed into this beautiful young lady that I am right now. But the counselors are actually taking over the Money Matters podcast studios today. So with that being said, welcome to Money Matters, where we help you use the money you have, make the money you need, and save the money you want. I'm Nicole Noah, a certified financial counselor with Neighbors Federal Credit Union.
SPEAKER_02And I'm Silver Font Noah, Certified Financial Counselor with Neighbors Federal Credit Union as well. Today we're doing something a little different. We have two very special guests joining us today, and they're part of the East Batonwich Parish Student Internship Program.
SPEAKER_01Now, throughout the summer, students have the opportunity to gain real-world work experience by spending time with local businesses and organizations. Today we're excited to hear about that experience from two students' perspectives. So, welcome to the show. We have Mason, who is an incoming senior with Liberty Magnet High School, and we also have Liam, who's an incoming senior at Tara High School. Welcome to the show, guys.
SPEAKER_04Thank you. Glad to be here.
SPEAKER_02Okay, so today let's start. Um let's start out by telling our listeners a little bit about yourselves. You know, what school you attend, which we kind of hinted to a little bit, and what grade you'll be entering this fall.
SPEAKER_03Um, I'm Mason. I will be a senior this fall as well. And I'll be going to Liberty Magna High School.
SPEAKER_02Okay.
SPEAKER_04I am Liam. I go to Tara High School, and I'm also an incoming senior this fall.
SPEAKER_01Awesome.
How The Internship Found Them
SPEAKER_01So how did you guys hear about the EVR student internship program and what made you decide to apply?
SPEAKER_04I'm not certain how I heard of it. I'm it was at school. I think there were posters or something. It was probably said on the announcements a couple times. Uh I wanted to apply because of the stipend money.
SPEAKER_01Okay, money's always a good driving factor. Amazing.
SPEAKER_03Um for me, it was a list of coincidences that happened the same day. Um, my mom talked about it with me, and then a friend texted me and asked, Should we do it together? So I signed up for it, and just like Liam, I signed up for the money because why not?
SPEAKER_02So did they have okay, I don't know, the different organizations that they had. How did you come to be matched with neighbors?
SPEAKER_03Um, stroke of luck, honestly. Okay. I think they chose us and we were just fortunate to be the ones that came here.
SPEAKER_02Okay.
SPEAKER_04But yeah, it was just it was random selection. I don't it wasn't I don't think it was entirely random. It was like based off of the answers that were given that you gave on a the form you filled out to sign up, I'm assuming. So I'm assuming some of the answers we gave on that form pointed us towards neighbors.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
What A Credit Union Really Does
SPEAKER_01So before you guys arrived, what did you think you would be doing for your internship?
SPEAKER_04Filing taxes.
SPEAKER_02What about you, Leah?
SPEAKER_04I don't know. I just thought I'd be doing like data entry or something.
SPEAKER_02So now that you've spent some time with this, what has surprised you the most?
SPEAKER_03I think honestly, probably the marketing and collections, as well as loan support. No, not loan support, lending support have given me the most knowledge I've learned. Something like lending support showed me how things like credit can really impact how you are accepted for loans, declined for loans, or just even in general, usually able to apply and get those type of loans. And sometimes different types of credit, while they may look the same, could still be different in ways of payments missed, payments made, when you do it, and all that. Collections, well, collections made me realize I would never want to be in that situation, but it taught me a lot about just in general how people can fall behind on things that they're paying for and how long it really takes them to get back on track. And marketing, for the most part, I was just I figured marketing was gonna be what it is, but I was plainlessly surprised by just everything I saw.
SPEAKER_04I feel like I learned a lot from the uh support center, uh specifically about like the IRAs and uh that that sort of thing. And uh also with collections and uh the marketing department, those both felt very interactive compared to the some of the other departments.
Favorite Rotations And Biggest Surprises
SPEAKER_01So, what has been your favorite part of this experience so far? And you won't hurt our feelings if you don't say financial wellness, but what's been the favorite?
SPEAKER_03Um It's really hard to choose, honestly. I think every department has been very welcoming and has been really helpful in teaching us what they do and just overall how stuff like banking and just a credit union itself functions. And I've been really grateful and just liked everything I've learned for the most part throughout the weeks I've been here.
SPEAKER_04Uh yeah. My favorite uh probably marketing uh just was the most interesting, really, in my opinion.
SPEAKER_02Okay. Now you have your basic learning experience in like a classroom. But since you've been here at Neighbors, you know, what are the things that you've learned here that you you weren't gonna get in the classroom?
SPEAKER_03I learned more about credit cards, I will say that. Um I learned more about credit in general, and I just learned overall like better spending habits and habits in general for financials. And something like collections showed how most people, especially nowadays, aren't really good with that. And you have situations where people may have overdrawn accounts that get charged off, or a car or a boat, or a line of credit that they're running behind on that as a result now reflects poorly on them with their credit score.
SPEAKER_04Well, I mean, being with neighbors is if it's a completely different experience from being in a classroom like uh it's like in a classroom you're mostly sitting in one spot all day, but with neighbors you're uh you're doing different things like every day, and there's and you're like walking around, you can uh like shadowing people. You can't really shadow people at school.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. Like a life experience journey.
SPEAKER_04Yeah. Okay.
Lessons School Does Not Teach
SPEAKER_01Okay, now you guys are entering into your senior year, so you are right at the cusp of being considered adults. Oh Lord. So while that may be scary, what's one lesson from this entire experience that you think you'd take into your future?
SPEAKER_03I think the biggest lesson I've learned, especially being with y'all today, has been budgeting. Budgeting makes or breaks, how you would continue in life. And having a good budget allows you to make better decisions financially and just overall make decisions to help put yourself in better positions as you go on through life.
SPEAKER_06Okay. Leah.
SPEAKER_04Yeah, uh budgeting and uh credit. Like I know how I'm gonna use a credit card when I can get one. Like I'll make sure to pay it off every month so I don't go into debt.
SPEAKER_01Awesome.
unknownAwesome.
SPEAKER_01So are we gonna apply for a charge card or are we gonna stick to the basic credit cards?
SPEAKER_04Regular credit card. I don't think I could get a charge card. Depends on where I'm at.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, depends on where you are. Okay, fair enough. All right, so before coming here, you know, you guys are teenagers and everything. How much did you know about financial literacy or had you had conversations about it?
SPEAKER_03I hate to break your hearts.
SPEAKER_02Um don't because I'm gonna be honest with you. I did at your age, financial what? No.
SPEAKER_03I know I knew basics, but I didn't know a lot. So coming here really did honestly help me a lot more. Um I think I'll probably come back again whenever for more advice in case I need it.
SPEAKER_04Yeah, I feel like I already knew a pretty good amount. Uh this is just reinforced what I knew.
SPEAKER_01Okay, so when you guys hear terms like budgeting and saving, credit scores, debt, what topic do you feel most comfortable with? And what topic do you feel you would need to learn a little bit more about?
SPEAKER_04I mean, I feel pretty comfortable with all of them, like pretty equally. I mean, I probably could always learn more about any of them, to be honest.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, I think honestly, if I have to be the least comfortable with one, it'd probably be credit. Um, I'm gonna lie to you guys.
SPEAKER_01So you think you need a little bit more information on credit?
SPEAKER_03Just a little bit.
SPEAKER_01Okay, fair enough.
SPEAKER_02It's like a broad question. If
The Money Questions They Ask
SPEAKER_02you can ask the financial counselor one question right now, what would it be?
SPEAKER_06So many. Um that's good.
SPEAKER_02You have questions.
SPEAKER_03I mean, not smart ones, I won't lie.
SPEAKER_02But no question is a dumb question.
SPEAKER_03But I mean, if I had to ask financial advisor, I'd honestly just ask what's the best way to build a how would you build the most money now going into your senior year and leaving it?
SPEAKER_04Probably just like how do you build your credit score quickly?
SPEAKER_01Now, do you guys want the answers to those questions?
SPEAKER_04Yes, actually.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, okay.
Building Credit The Right Way
SPEAKER_01So, as far as your question, Liam, credit, it is not an overnight thing. So, this is definitely something that does take time and it takes patience. Um, will there be some mistakes along the way? Of course, we do make mistakes, but how you manage your credit, the best way I will tell you this the easiest and the best way for you to make sure that you are building a good credit score is if you borrow money, make sure that you are paying it back on time, as agreed. Um, and that's with not just with credit cards, that's with anything. Any bills you may have, making sure that you are paying that on time. Because as opposed to what makes up your credit score, we did talk earlier about those different factors that make up your credit score. Now, payment history holds the most weight. 35% of your credit score is based on how well you are paying your bills on time. So if you're looking to raise that credit score, that is the most positive thing that you can do is make sure that you are paying those on time. All right. Um, as far, Mason, as your question was as far as how do you build? What was your question? That's a great question.
SPEAKER_02You forgot. I think it was how do you say it?
SPEAKER_03I think it was mostly similar to Limb with with credit, but more just how to build a great financial situation going into senior year and leaving it.
SPEAKER_02Leaving it meaning your money, leaving it where you're putting it.
SPEAKER_03Oh no, I mean like going into like how to financially plan your senior year, honestly. That's the better way to afford it.
How To Budget For Senior Year
SPEAKER_01Okay. Okay. Coming from seniors how Sharon did it. She's gonna she's gonna tell you. I will tell you now, it is hard for you to budget for senior year because there are so many things that come up. As you have your senior fees, you have um, and you play sports. So they are going to be your senior nights, um planning for colleges, application processes, application payments, fees, and things of that nature. Um, it is going to be a lot. I will tell you that. Um, if I had to do it again, which I'm so glad I don't, um I would definitely say the best way to budget for it is if you're working, if you are working, work as many hours as you can. Um, you're in a good position now because you don't, I'm assuming, don't have a lot of bills to take care of. So it should be fairly easy for you to budget for it. Um, I would say with the, you know, whatever paycheck you get, of course, you want to make sure that you're paying yourself first. So take a little bit out and set the side. You have to be diligent. You have to be um focused on just setting that money to the side. Any money that you get throughout the year, I would say save at least 80% of that to go towards your fees. Um, some things will catch you off guard, but it's, I mean, just go with the flow. It's this like I said, you don't have bills to pay. So that's the easiest part. You don't have to worry about, okay, do I save this or do I pay this bill? You know, so just with you, it's just saving as much as you can to put towards those fees.
SPEAKER_02Well, one more thing. Kind of since your mom will be helping you or a parent will be helping you, when you go through all that, make sure you're doing what you want to do. You know, and just don't do things that, you know, well, my mom wanna be involved in that one. So just kind of pinpoint what you want to do so your mom and yourself or your parent, you aren't wasting money. So if it's an event you really don't want to take part in, don't don't feel any pressure because that's money that you can keep in your pocket for something you really want to take part in. So kind of go through the activities and see the things that you really want to do. And if it's something you don't, no pressure, just kind of go through that list. Don't just do stuff because everybody else is doing it. So just kind of for like I said, for your sake and your parents' sake, just do the things you really want to do. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01All right.
First Paychecks Future Plans And Adult Life
SPEAKER_01So have you guys, well, Mason, this is not a fair question for you because you already have a job right now. Um, are you working, Liam? Nope. Okay. So this question, I guess, will be geared more towards you. And Liam, I mean, Mason, it could, it could as well. But have you thought about what you want to do with your first paycheck when you get it? Not really. You don't have any plans, nothing that you would want to do or anything like that.
SPEAKER_04Nothing specific, really. Just have money.
SPEAKER_01Okay. So, Mason, what was your first thing that you did with your your first paycheck?
SPEAKER_03Gosh, that was so good.
SPEAKER_01Um You're not that old. I've been working.
SPEAKER_03I've had a job for like a long time. This is this is my second job I have. I worked in a restaurant when I was really young. So, well, I won't say really young, because then that makes me sound old. I worked in a restaurant when I was younger. So, God, what was my first check on? Probably a video game or shoes, I think. I probably saved it actually. Because it was before I went to high school, so I was saving up for my first year.
SPEAKER_02So, were there something that you wanted to buy? Like what right now? There's something you want to buy. What what are you saving for now?
SPEAKER_03Um, a car.
unknownOkay.
SPEAKER_01Did you have a particular car in mind?
SPEAKER_03Not really. Just as as long as it can survive more than a year.
SPEAKER_01Okay, more than a year. So what are your plans after high school?
SPEAKER_06Uh well, I'm gonna go to college for some sort of engineering.
SPEAKER_04Uh, and I'm probably gonna go to Louisiana Tech or Northwestern State.
SPEAKER_03I expect to go to school to be a lawyer. So I'm not too sure at the moment where I'm gonna go, but I do plan on double majoring in pre-law with another major to assist with becoming a lawyer. And hopefully I have that figured out before the end of senior year or before winter break, actually.
SPEAKER_02Okay. Aiming high, I love it. So, what excites you the most when people talk about you becoming an adult? So, yay yay after 18.
SPEAKER_03Um, there's not much to be excited for. Um I guess I'd say mostly the more freedom you gain as an adult, and just overall the more ability to just be able to do stuff that you want to do that you may be restricted by because you're younger or you're just not 18 yet.
SPEAKER_04Yeah, just more things you can do, places you can go into, and stuff like that.
SPEAKER_01You don't have that, and I can't wait to become an adult to do something, just going with the flow.
SPEAKER_04Nothing specific.
SPEAKER_01Okay. All
Rapid Fire And Student Advice
SPEAKER_01right. So this next section, guys, we're gonna do like a rapid fire. So we're gonna ask, we're gonna give you two options. No thinking, just either or which would you prefer? Okay, coffee or energy drinks?
SPEAKER_06Coffee, energy drinks, spend or save. Spend or save. Save.
SPEAKER_01Okay. Morning person or night owl?
SPEAKER_06Night owl.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_02And what's your favorite app on your phone?
SPEAKER_06Takes a YouTube choice. Dream car. You're thinking.
SPEAKER_03That's a question you're gonna think for. Um I say it's 67 Impala.
SPEAKER_05Okay, cool.
SPEAKER_04Uh something that has a C D player.
SPEAKER_06Oh, okay.
SPEAKER_04Anything?
SPEAKER_06Okay. All right, dream vacation. Cruise around the world, obviously. Okay. Queens. Queens. Oh, interesting.
SPEAKER_01All right. So looking back on your internship experiences, what is one thing that you've learned that you think every student should know?
SPEAKER_03I'd say overall, just how to manage and keep good credit.
SPEAKER_04Yeah, just how to like manage your expenses, how to keep your credit score from not from going down, things like that.
SPEAKER_02What advice would you give to another student that's considering the internship program?
SPEAKER_03I'd tell them to do it. Going to neighbors or wherever it's valuable experience that you can get before your senior year. And overall, it just gives you more experience and fields that you may want to consider being in. And there's the added bonus to money, so it never hurts.
SPEAKER_06Okay. Yeah, I just say do it. Not really any advice that I that I would give other than do it.
SPEAKER_01All right.
Final Takeaways And Next Steps
SPEAKER_01Well, guys, we do thank you so much for joining us today and sharing your experience.
SPEAKER_02Of course. And we wish you guys continued success in whatever you do after this. You're gonna be seeking, you know, great things to accomplish in the future.
unknownRight.
SPEAKER_01And we do thank you for listening to Money Matters.
SPEAKER_02Until next time, take care and make your money matter.
SPEAKER_00Stay on track with your financial journey. Subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast, and visit neighborsfcu.org slash financial wellness for more tools to help you build a strong financial future.
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