In this episode, Patty Corkery shares a true Michigan credit union career story. It started with a simple flyer on a windshield in the early 1970s.
Patty Corkery’s dad was an Army reservist and a department store collector who had never heard of a credit union. After a day of training, he found a flyer on his car, walked into a credit union to learn more. As a result, he left with more than a consolidation loan. He found a new career in the credit union movement. That first visit connected him with the Michigan Credit Union League and opened the door to a lifetime of service in credit unions.
Decades later, his kids followed the same path.
Today, one is a credit union CEO in Michigan, and the other is me (Patty Corkery). I am the President/CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates and CUSG. What started as a simple conversation about a credit card consolidation loan grew into a multi-generational credit union legacy. It focuses on people, relationships, and purpose-driven work.
In this conversation, you will hear how that first visit to Detroit Federal Employees Credit Union at 8 Mile and Southfield shaped People Driven Credit Union today. You will learn how the Michigan Credit Union League still connects people to credit union careers through resources like TryACreditUnion.com. Additionally, you will hear why credit unions invest in people from day one, with a focus on mentorship, training, and professional development.
Dave Sullivan and Patty Corkery also talk about the many different career paths inside the credit union movement. You will hear how people build careers in marketing, lending, finance, collections, member service, and leadership. There are more opportunities, all within member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperatives.
If you are a student, a recent graduate, or you want to restart your career, this video will help you see credit unions in a new way. In fact, credit unions are more than places to open an account or get a loan. They are places to grow your skills and build a meaningful career. They are mission-driven workplaces where you can grow your skills, serve your community, and build a meaningful long-term career in financial services.
Thank you, Patty Corkery.
Dave Sullivan is Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Service at People Driven Credit Union, where he helps guide member communications, financial education, and digital growth. With a background in credit education, lending, and member service, Dave focuses on making financial topics easier to understand and more useful in everyday life. His work helps connect members with practical information, helpful resources, and financial solutions that support their goals.
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