In a bid to enhance financial literacy among high school students, a new initiative has been launched in North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of State Treasurer (DST), in collaboration with the North Carolina Council on Economic Education (NCCEE) and Fidelity Investments, unveiled a series of programs aimed at equipping students with essential financial skills.
The announcement was made at the NCCEE competition held at Fidelity Investments’ Durham campus, where Treasurer Brad Briner introduced an internship program for high school juniors and seniors. This internship is part of a broader effort to promote financial literacy across the state, including the establishment of financial literacy clubs informed by the DST’s Finance Fridays newsletter. A statewide financial literacy competition for students is also set to be launched in the fall.
Treasurer’s Vision for Financial Confidence
“Everyone everywhere deserves to understand and feel confident when it comes to their finances,” stated Treasurer Brad Briner. He emphasized the overwhelming interest from high school students eager to deepen their understanding and participate in financial literacy efforts.
The internship program will select three students each year – one for the fall, spring, and summer terms. Participants will engage in mentorship with DST leaders, shadow professionals at Fidelity’s Research Triangle Park location, and contribute to the curriculum of the new financial literacy clubs. Successful interns will be awarded a $500 scholarship for further education.
Fidelity’s Role in Financial Education
The announcements coincided with the North Carolina Personal Finance Challenge state championship, hosted by Fidelity. High school students demonstrated their grasp of economic concepts through problem-solving and critical thinking exercises. Fidelity’s involvement aligns with its mission to enhance the financial well-being of communities, supported through its employee volunteer program, Fidelity Cares, which celebrates 30 years of community impact.
Leslie Walden, Vice President of Regional Public Affairs at Fidelity Investments, remarked, “When students have access to a foundation of economic and financial education, it can help build lifelong financial confidence.” She noted the importance of understanding financial concepts such as spending, saving, and investing for managing personal and family budgets.
Longstanding Commitment to Financial Education
The NCCEE has been a key advocate for financial education since 1970, training approximately 1,000 teachers in North Carolina annually and impacting over 15,000 students through various competitions. The Personal Finance Challenge allows students to showcase their financial literacy in a competitive setting against peers statewide. This year’s top eight teams competed for the state championship, with the winner advancing to the National Championship round.
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Video from today’s announcement
Still Photos: 01, 02, 03, 04
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