SC State senior enjoys ‘life-changing’ inaugural internship at 1st Franklin Financial Corp.
Taylor, a senior business management major from Columbia, South Carolina, was the
first branch intern at 1st Franklin Financial Corp. (1st Franklin). The opportunity resulted from a collaboration between the financial
services company and SC State’s Institute for Business, Environment, Communications and Transportation(BECT Institute).
“This 12-weeks internship has definitely been life-changing,” Taylor said. “I’ve learned
so much about the financial industry and financial literacy, and I appreciate all
the knowledge (1st Franklin) has to offer.
“I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to apply. I was not aware of the opportunity
until I stumbled into a presentation by the BECT Institute and representatives from
1st Franklin to discuss the internship and ask students to apply,” Taylor said. “Once
I learned the details of the internship, I knew this was something I wanted to do
but had no idea of the breadth of the experience until I started.”
This was the first internship program offered by 1st Franklin, so leaders took a holistic
approach to ensure that interns like Taylor would gain invaluable insights into facets
of the financial world from operations to customer service. Taylor’s first two weeks
were in training.
Over the remaining 10 weeks, she was mentored by 20 subject matter experts in different
disciplines of the business. Each week, she spent two days with the expert and the
remaining three days at branch operations. Unlike in other internships, Taylor was
automatically enrolled in 1st Franklin’s 401K plan.
“We wanted Kenadi to get a full breadth of what 1st Franklin does and not just be
cornered into a little pocket,” 1st Franklin’s Rachel Rhodes said. “We want the internship
to be a catalyst for a career in the financial industry.”
Taylor left a lasting impact on 1st Franklin, paving the way for future interns.
“Kenadi’s enthusiasm and dedication quickly set her apart,” Rhodes said. “Her impressive
performance during the interview process solidified her place in the program. She
did amazing. The bar was set so high, nobody could reach her. Kenadi’s positive attitude
and eagerness to learn made her a standout participant in the program, earning her
praise from both colleagues and leadership.”
Taylor’s achievements extend beyond the internship. Having served as fundraising manager
and Miss NAACP for the SC State student NAACP chapter, she is now the chapter’s president.
She is heavily involved on campus, acquiring over 100 hours of community service.
Taylor’s involvement in campus organizations and her proactive approach to personal
growth are testaments to her drive and determination.
The BECT Institute supports, builds and sustains programs to provide educational and
experiential opportunities for students, faculty staff and the community. For more
information about the BECT Institute, contact Dr. Barbara Adams at badams@scsu.edu or 803-516-4864.
NOTE: This release was adapted from an article published by 1st Franklin.