The prestige of being selected as a Bank of America Student Leader has given Norristown’s Darius Haynes the opportunity to experience the “real world.”

Bank of America’s signature philanthropic program offers young people who are passionate about improving the community an opportunity to build their workforce and leadership skills through a paid summer nonprofit internship and participation in a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C., writes Gary Puleo at timesherald.com.

“I’m honored to be a Student Leader because the process is so selective. Before this, I never really had the chance to experience the ‘real world’ with regard to business,” noted the Norristown Area High School senior.

Through Student Leaders, Bank of America helps young people gain work experience, broaden their perspective on how nonprofits achieve their mission, and advance their civic engagement. Bank of America Student Leaders also develop better money habits by working with bank volunteers to increase their financial management skills, from building a budget to creating a savings plan.

This summer, as part of its three-year, $40 million commitment to connect youth and young adults to skills, training and jobs, Bank of America is investing more than $3.6 million in funding to support 2,300 summer jobs for teens across the country, with a particular focus on young people from low-income families.

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