Bank of America 2023 Columbia Student Leaders complete local internships

Aryan Anand (l) and Katherine Tam

Two Columbia area high school seniors were selected as Bank of America 2023 Student Leaders® (#BofAStudentLeaders), an eight-week paid summer internship providing students with first-hand experience in serving their communities. As part of the program, the students developed leadership and practical workforce skills while working with local nonprofits Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands and United Way of the Midlands, all while earning $17 per hour.

With changing economic environments and a shifting job market, young people need access to hands-on workforce experience and career skills-building opportunities. The private sector has a role to play to help better position and support young adults to be successful in today’s workforce. In addition to Student Leaders, Bank of America is also connecting teens and young adults to paid jobs and internships across the region through programs like the bank’s Financial Center Intern Program, Opportunity Internships across South Carolina, and others.

“We are investing in our region’s long-term economic growth by providing the pathways and resources for young adults to gain the foundational work skills and leadership experience they need to succeed,” said Vaughn Reynolds, president, Bank of America Columbia. “The Student Leaders program is just one example of how we are connecting people to meaningful employment that also builds a stronger pipeline of diverse talent for our local workforce.”

The Bank of America 2023 Columbia Student Leaders are:

• Ar yan Anand, a graduate of River Bluff High School with plans to attend the University of South Carolina Honors College in the fall. He relocated to the United States just prior to the beginning of high school, yet he has considerable achievements. Anand has a passion for community service and was involved in the National Honor Society, the Robotic Club, and the Beta Club. As a Bank of America Student Leader this summer, Aryan interned with United Way of the Midlands

•Katherine Tam, a graduate of Dreher High with plans to attend Vanderbilt University in the fall. She enjoys community engagement and was involved in high school orchestra and the National Honor Society. As a Bank of America Student Leader this summer, Katherine interned with United Way of the Midlands.

The Student Leaders recently traveled to Washington D.C. for a weeklong, all expenses paid, national leadership summit focused on the power of cross-sector collaboration and community advocacy. At the first in-person Summit since 2019, Student Leaders from across the nation discussed the importance of civic engagement and met with members of Congress.

Started in 2004, the Student Leaders program recognizes 300 community focused juniors and seniors from across the U.S. annually. The Columbia based Student Leaders are participating in programming that includes a collaborative, mentor-focused project with the Boys and Girls Club and United Way.