Welcoming students back to the office

The skies overlooking Central Park were gray, but the mood was bright inside Deutsche Bank Center as the bank recently hosted a group of high school students for a half-day job shadowing event.

The event, “TYWLS at the Workplace,” is a signature volunteer offering organized by CSR Americas nonprofit partner Student Leadership Network to bring tenth grade students into professional worksites throughout New York City. Twenty- five students from The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) of Astoria came to Deutsche Bank to meet employees, learn about their jobs, and see what it is like to work there.

The event was notable for both parties. For Student Leadership Network, the event was its first in- person “TYWLS at the Workplace” since 2019. For Deutsche Bank CSR, it was the first time hosting young people at the new office. The bank previously hosted TYWLS student groups at 60 Wall Street. The momentum of returning to in-person interaction brought a certain energy to the visit, which was felt by students and employee volunteers alike.

According to Kristen Gordon, TYWLS Manager at Student Leadership Network, “TYWLS at the Workplace” seeks to expose students to corporate work sites and role models who are willing to share wisdom, advice, and experiences about their professional journeys. “It is important for the students to see people who look like them, who can help them see what they can be in the future.”

Student Leadership Network organizes college and career preparedness events for students from the TYWLS network of six public secondary schools. The schools provide a single-gender educational choice for students living in low-income communities who are often the first in their families to attend college. The schools combine best practices in all-girls education with effective strategies that address the challenges faced by at-risk students.

Volunteers planned a full agenda including a company overview, panel discussion, networking lunch, and one-on-one job shadowing. Students learned what Deutsche Bank does, heard about the role financial institutions play in the global economy, and experienced what day-to-day life in the office is like. In doing so, they also gained exposure to Deutsche Bank’s work environment and culture. Participating volunteers represented a range of departments and levels at the bank, as well as a variety of academic and professional journeys. The day concluded with a trading floor tour.

Gordon called the in-person connections made throughout the day “priceless. Students were able to see how employees got excited about their jobs and how interested they were to meet with them. The volunteers asked the students questions and came prepared to be engaged with them throughout the day.” After the event, she reported that students raved to teachers and peers about the enjoyable and memorable experience.

Through CSR’s Born to Be program, Deutsche Bank is committed to helping young people realize their full potential. Events like “TYWLS at the Workplace” are a valuable way to engage employees in helping inspire and empower youth to consider future possibilities.