City
University,
Business
Administration), from its first pool
of applicants. The opportunity
began soon thereafter and lasted
six weeks.
Huacuz and Roldan began
working with mentors within FCS
Financial, studying components of
the agricultural lending process.
They learned credit fundamentals
by working in FCS Financial’s
central office in Jefferson City and
multiple branch locations alongside
specialists in credit, appraisal and
risk management positions. They
completed applications and gained
experience with credit analysis,
decision-making,
appraisal
and loan closing. Roldan and
Huacuz also met customers by
visiting farms and talking with
owners about their operations,
production methods and business
practices. The interns received
broad exposure to the real world
intersection of agriculture and
financial lending.
Through it all, Alianzas
remained in contact with the young
men to work toward making the
internship even more appealing
to Latino youth in the future.
Near the end of the internship
period, the students presented on
their internship experience to the
FCS Financial Board of Directors
alongside Gerardo Martinez,
Alianzas Director. The three of
them also presented on Latino
cultural values to FCS Financial
personnel.
Roldan and Huacuz felt
the internship was an excellent
opportunity to learn and gain
Above: Intern Isaac Roldan visits the farm
of FCS Financial board member Charles
Steck near Jefferson City. Right: The FCS
Financial Latino internship team from
left to right: FCS Financial Human
Resources Generalist Liz Shollmeyer,
Alianzas Director Gerardo R. Martinez,
FCS Financial CFO Steve Harrington
and interns Isaac Roldan and Rick
Huacuz. Not pictured is FCS Financial
Human Resources Vice President Karie
Mengwasser.
hands-on knowledge of the
agricultural financial field.
“Before my time at FCS
Financial, I liked accounting.
Now I love it,” said Huacuz. “I had
great mentors and experiences
with different departments that
increased the confidence I have
that I am choosing the right
professional career for myself.”
Roldan expressed his gratitude
for the opportunity he had to learn
about FCS Financial’s marketing
department. “Having such hands-
on experience in that department
helped me be more determined
about what I want to major in,”
said Roldan.
FCS Financial already has
a reputation for listening to its
interns and working to make
the program responsive to their
needs in order to create an overall
positive internship experience.
With Alianzas’ partnership, this
reputation is growing to include
cultural competence as well.
HEARTBEAT | FALL 2017 13