Helping Employees Advance Their Education and Career
7/19/2022 | Team United
Putting in the hours to help Members is a top priority for all of United Federal Credit Union (United) employees. For some on Team United, those hours aren’t just in the office, but in the classroom learning new skills to better assist our Members.
United is proud to offer employees a Tuition Reimbursement Program to aid in getting their college degree. The goal of the program is to help employees advance within United and provide them with a new set of skills which will translate back to the job they are currently doing or the job they aspire to at the credit union.
When Trey Jenkins joined United in 2020, he was in the process of completing his bachelor’s degree. He found out about United’s tuition reimbursement program during his hiring process, and knew it was something he could use to help him finish the final courses he needed. Trey credits the program with being the push to bring home his diploma more than 10 years after he started that journey.
Getting to Know U
Trey Jenkins, Commercial Loan Officer, Fort Smith, AR
Q: Tell us about your journey to completing your degree with the University of Arkansas?
A: After graduating Van Buren High School with more than 30 hours of college credit, I moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas to attend the University of Arkansas. The fall of 2011 was my first semester as a chemistry major.
Over the next five to six years I went to school, got my first job as a Sam’s Club cashier, and eventually my first bank job as a Teller for a local bank. During this first attempt to obtain a degree I switched to an accounting major and left the bank for a summer accounting internship at Tyson.
Eventually, I left school and took a job in the financial industry with roughly three semesters left to graduate. In the Spring of 2020, I re-enrolled, taking nine hours over the next five semesters while working full time, finally graduating May 2022.
Q: What did it mean to you to have your degree presented to you at your branch?
A: Being presented my degree at the branch was important to me and something I specifically requested, whereas most received their diploma at home. I am thankful that the University of Arkansas’ Razorbug Diploma Tour was willing to accommodate my request. United helped me earn the degree and I wanted United to be included in the acceptance of the degree.
Q: How are you feeling now that you’ve finished your degree?
A: It feels like a weight has been lifted. My weekends belong to myself and my wife again. We can spend that time together now and focus on something besides credits and debits.
Q: Why did you decide to take advantage of the program?
A: During 2020 I was taking advantage of a similar program provided by my former employer. When I made the switch to United, I also had the help of the tuition reimbursement program. It was a huge blessing to have this program available and not have to stop my momentum toward the degree.
Q: Why was it important to you to have United support your decision to get your degree?
A: It was important because earning a degree has always been a goal of mine. Without United’s support, it would have been a much more difficult task and it might not have happened. Most employees hope for an employer that supports their personal goals and that is what United did for me.
Q: How do you hope your degree will help you assist members in Arkansas?
A: Accounting is the language of business. As a commercial loan officer, my degree is already helping me better understand the businesses I assist and their financials. I am excited for my future with United and being able to help Members achieve their goals and dreams.
