Nathan Perez, 26, always had his sights set on a career in finance — he just needed a way to get there. Through the Community College of Rhode Island’s Banking Micro-pathway, he found not only the skills, but the connections that got him hired after completing the 15-week program.
Nathan Perez always knew he wanted to work in finance. The 26-year-old Providence, R.I., native excelled at math, started a degree in accounting, and had applied to banking jobs before — without success.
Nathan was running an auto detailing business with his father when he saw a Facebook post about a new program at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI).
The Banking Micro-Pathway became the bridge he needed.
“Finance has always been my go-to,” Nathan said. “I always thought that banking would be a great pathway for me.”
An innovative design partnership between educators and employers — including CCRI, Citizens, Education Design Lab, and several local banks — created a first-of-its-kind Banking Micro-pathway to help learners launch their banking careers in just 15 weeks — and fill the 500 entry-level jobs the banking sector is expected to add across the state over the next five years. The program is free and designed to be flexible, especially for learners juggling jobs and other responsibilities. The part-time, hybrid course (offering both virtual and in-person events) covers workplace communications, data management, and customer service, preparing graduates for roles including banking service representatives, tellers, and customer service specialists.
“At CCRI, we are proud to partner with the Education Design Lab, Citizens, and our banking colleagues to create pathways that meet Rhode Islanders where they are and connect them to meaningful careers,” said CCRI President Dr. Rosemary Costigan when the program was announced last fall. “This micro-pathway is a powerful example of how education and industry can come together to build a more resilient workforce.”
“This pathway is a powerful example of what’s possible when banks, educators, and workforce leaders come together with a shared purpose,” said Keith Kelly, Rhode Island President, Citizens. “By collaborating across institutions, we are helping Rhode Islanders build the skills and confidence to succeed in meaningful careers that will continue to evolve. Citizens is proud to lead this effort in our home state, not just as a bank but as a partner in shaping the future of financial services.”
The first Banking Micro-pathway class launched in October 2025 with 15 students and celebrated its first 10 graduates (including Nathan) with a ceremony in February 2026, for a 67% program completion rate.
How Nathan got hired
The pathway program gave Nathan more than foundational banking skills. It gave him access to people.
“The biggest thing was the connections,” Nathan said. “I met with regional managers, human resource managers, different branch managers … and that’s where I got to really see and understand how the banking industry works.”
During the program’s culminating networking event, he connected with Alejandro Restrepo, a Retail Regional Manager in the New England South region at Citizens who, like Nathan, grew up in Providence and worked his way up from bank teller to his current leadership role.
“His story connects a lot with mine. We grew up the same way,” Nathan said.
“I didn’t grow up in a rich family — we were always check to check. I was taught that you work hard for your money, and always try to save and budget. That’s always been my family’s way of life,” he said. “ I started working at a very young age …. landscaping, auto detailing, construction, things that don’t sound very connected to the finance industry, but they also help get you more focused.”
Nathan’s conversation with Alejandro was the longest he had during the program. Restrepo referred him to another manager, who referred him to a branch manager — and Nathan was hired as a bank teller in February.
Now working on the front lines of a busy Citizens branch office, Nathan has gained a new perspective on banking — and on his own career trajectory. He helps customers navigate technology anxiety, explaining fraud protections, breaking down credit card options, always with a focus on trust and clarity.
“My job is to help customers… and help them have a better understanding of their accounts,” he explained.
Nathan sees his current role as a starting point. Inspired by mentors he met through the program, he hopes to work his way up to become a branch manager. He said Citizens provides a clear path upward — something he found meaningful about the company from the start.
“I like to learn every position,” he said. “If my end goal is to be a branch manager, I need to learn from the bottom.”
Though he paused his college education during COVID, Nathan hasn’t let go of that goal. With support from his employer and a clearer path forward, he plans to return to school and continue building toward a long-term career in banking.
About Community College Growth Engine
Education Design Lab’s Community College Growth Engine (Growth Engine) brings community colleges, employers, and learners together to design micro-pathways — high-quality, stackable credentials that can be completed in under a year and lead to employment in high-demand fields and progress toward a degree. Since 2020, the Lab has worked with over 130 community colleges in 20 states to design 300+ micro-pathways in booming sectors including healthcare, IT, and advanced manufacturing.
This Impact Snapshot was written by Stephanie Ogilvie Seagle, with data support from Dharma Wong and visual design by Cassie Lynott.
