I’ve visited cities I never would have had the opportunity to see if it wasn’t for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Education: University of Akron, BS in finance
Joined OCC: 2001
Background
During college, I worked in the trust department at a local bank. I learned of the opportunities at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) from a bank examiner. I’ve always been interested in banks, banking, and finance so it was natural that I ended up at the OCC.
Why I Chose the OCC
I was attracted to the opportunities for travel. I’ve visited cities I never would have had the opportunity to see if it wasn’t for the OCC. I once spent a weekend hiking Yosemite National Park while in California on a work assignment. To date, that has been the most memorable travel experience I’ve had.
Culture
The OCC team is very close-knit and accepting. It’s a smaller agency, and we truly are one big team. I can visit a bank in Washington, and I’m welcomed with open arms to start working on a project.
Daily Work
I spend my time reviewing bank documents and working closely with bank management. I work with a diverse, intelligent group of people. For the past two years, I have also taught a fundamentals of capital markets class to new bank examiners in Dallas, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. I’ve developed a great relationship with my current and former students—they still feel comfortable coming to me for help or advice.
My Advice for New Employees
Learn as much as you can and be flexible. Don’t get locked in one career path or rule out any one examination area. Take initiative and don’t be scared to volunteer for challenging assignments. When I started here, I often chose to work on difficult assignments. It may be intimidating at first, but someone will be there to help guide you.