Each summer, Academy of Finance students work as paid interns at banks, insurance companies, accounting firms, government agencies, as well as the finance departments in a variety of corporations and industries. NAF’s business partners provide students with paid internships for six to eight weeks, during which time they receive hands-on exposure, professional supervision, and practical work experience. This allows students to begin the process of building a resume while “trying on” their future professional roles. Students are selected for these industry-specific placements on the basis of interviews and their fulfillment of coursework requirements. Students will also receive high school credit.
Students have an opportunity to receive scholarships for both the required Accounting class at Frederick Community college, continuing studies at Mount St. Mary’s University, and all other post high-school studies. Successful partnerships with State Farm Insurance, CitiMortgage, Wells Fargo Bank, and our alumni provide tuition assistance for Academy students. Additionally, the National Academy Foundation partners with CitiGroup to offer scholarships to graduating students of the program.
- Community Networking Experiences
Frederick County’s Academy of Finance is proud to have the support and endorsement of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. Students have an opportunity to help at Chamber events which provides them with one-on-one contact with many of the areas business professionals.
In 2005, Downtown Frederick Partnerships appointed an Academy of Finance student to its Board of Directors. The student representative coordinates a spring intercept for DFP and also is responsible for coordinating volunteer activities for students of the Academy.
- National Technical Honor Society
With an excellent academic record, students may be nominated and inducted into the National Technical Honor Society, America's highest award for excellence in career and technical education. NTHS is committed to providing the highest quality recognition for outstanding students in career and technical education, supplying excellent services to a diverse and multi-cultural membership and member schools, creating new and emerging relationships between the educational community and business and industry, being a flexible organization on the leading edge of technology and constantly responding to change, maintaining financial responsibility to meet members’ increasing needs, and sustaining growth, innovation and continuous improvement based upon ongoing evaluation.
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, It is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensureAmerica has a skilled work force amd helping students to excel. All students at the Career & Technology Center become members of this national organization. More than 284,000 student and instructors join SkillsUSA annually, organized into more than 14,700 sections and 54 state and territorial associations. SkillsUSA has served more than 8.8 million members. SkillsUSA programs include local, state and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. At the annual national-level SkillsUSA Championships, over 4,600 students compete in 84 occupational and leadership skill areas.
SkillsUSA programs also help to establish industry standards for job skill training in the lab and classroom, and promote community service. SkillsUSA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is cited as a "successful model of employer-driven youth development training program" by the U.S. Department of Labor.
- Local Business Support and Corporate Donations
In addition to an active Advisory Board which has been recognized nationally for its work with our students, The Academy of Finance is fortunate to receive yearly grants which offset many of the extra-curricular and enrichment activities for students. Yearly grants come from CitiGroup, CitiMortgage, State Farm Insurance, Wells Fargo Bank, and F&M Bank. Additionally, the program has received one-time grants from M&T Bank, The Delaplaine Foundation, Employment Management Association, and the Washington Post.
