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Comerica [Michigan Chronicle (MI)](Michigan Chronicle (MI) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Chris Goodwin In his early years at Crockett High School in Detroit, Christopher Goodwin was determined to achieve his dreams and set himself up for a successful career. He saw an opportunity to begin planning for his future by joining the Detroit Public Schools' Golightly Career and Technical Center during his junior year of high school, splitting his time between traditional school work and technical training at Golightly's IT Academy each day. It was while attending a recruiting fair with the Academy that Goodwin met representatives from Comerica Bank's IT department and secured an internship for the summer of 2011. Comerica Bank has a longstanding partnership with the Golightly Career and Technical Center, hiring high school-aged interns for its finance and IT departments each summer for more than 15 years. After working with the bank's field support team in 2011, Goodwin earned a second internship with Comerica the next summer and was promoted to the bank's client resolution team. Comerica prides itself on integrating its interns into the thick of the bank's internal operations and Goodwin proved his ability to learn quickly on the job. "I didn't know what to expect when I started, but I quickly learned that the group I was working with was looking out for me," he said. "They played a big part in my advanced learning of the IT field. I had to learn things that took most people several months to grasp in just a few weeks." Currently a sophomore at the International Academy of Design & Technology, Goodwin credits his on-the-job learning for his hire to Comerica's client resolution team as a contract employee after graduating from high school. "I kept in contact with my supervisors and regularly checked in with them about job openings within the company," he said. Although he often had to take two or three buses to get to and from his internship during high school, Goodwin said he was dedicated to learning the IT field and making a good name for himself at a reputable company. Today, he supports Comerica employees worldwide with their technology needs. What is most rewarding about your work with Comerica? "I find it most rewarding when I am able to resolve a problem and leave them happy," Goodwin said. "When they first call with a problem, they are often frustrated, but I can hear their attitude change when things are fixed. I believe execution and the end result are most important. I always try to make a client feel better about the situation, while getting the problem fixed at the same time." What is your biggest motivation to continue juggling work and school? "I want to set a good example and be a positive role model for my younger brother and sister," Goodwin said. "When you get to an age where you can understand your family's financial struggles, you want to try to help out the best you can." As a self-described football fanatic, Goodwin often travels back to his old high school to hang out with his former coaches and the students currently on the team. There he serves as a mentor and ensures the students are heading in the right direction. "I try to tell them my story because once you can relate with a student and show them where you are at, you can get your message across," he said. "I keep them focused through my words and experience. I was in the same position as them once, and I make sure they know how important it is to take advantage of the resources provided to them." Goodwin encourages other students to plan ahead for their future. "There is always a kid with a dream, but they don't have a plan for getting there. I talk to them about how they will execute their plan, or ask them why they haven't started preparing for their future yet" For more information on how Comerica volunteers are giving back to our community, visit www.facebook.com/ComericaCares. (c) 2013 Michigan Chronicle |