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First Impression: The Apartment-Hunting Call that Led to a Career Start

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Posted on August 5, 2024

Thomas Becnel

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#MyFirstJob is a series focused on recent graduates of the University of South Alabama.

Mackenzie Endres didn鈥檛 realize it at the time, but her best career move came during her sophomore year at the University of South Alabama.

She was majoring in finance, with a part-time job leasing apartments just off campus. She made a phone call to a woman looking for a rental unit for her son.

Endres didn鈥檛 close that deal in Mobile, but she did impress Karen Morris, who turned out to be senior vice president and relationship manager at River Bank & Trust.

鈥淪he said I sold her so well that she wanted me to come work with her,鈥� she said. 鈥淪he has a daughter my age, and I think that helped it work so well. She became my work mom and boss all in one.鈥�

For the next two years, Endres shadowed Morris and learned different aspects of the banking business. After graduation this spring, she began working full time at the River Bank branch on University Boulevard.

She鈥檚 just down the road from the University, but starting the next chapter in her life.

Endres, 22, grew up in Huntsville, Alabama. She thought about studying marine biology, but decided on a business program.

Her sister Alexis also went to South, earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology in 2020. Their father Jake, who served in the Army for 22 years, had plenty of advice for his daughters.

鈥淗e was very big on working in what you鈥檙e passionate about,鈥� Endres said. 鈥淎s long as you鈥檙e passionate, money and happiness will follow.鈥�

She and her dad share a passion for scuba diving in the Caribbean. They鈥檝e made more than 50 dives and earned advanced certification.

鈥淲e both wanted to go farther,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e wanted to see things you couldn鈥檛 see from snorkeling. Looking back at the GoPro footage, it鈥檚 like, wow, we were there.鈥�

At South, Endres was active in the Financial Management Association and the Chi Omega sorority, but she never forgot her roommates in Azalea Hall.

鈥淢y freshman year was a great time to make friends and find opportunities,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 recommend that to anyone. You鈥檙e all in the same boat, so you gain a South family.鈥�

In the Mitchell College of Business, Endres鈥檚 favorite class included work on the JagFund 鈥� the Jaguar Investment Fund, where students decide on stock investments and money market decisions for a $2 million account.

She remembers making a pitch for buying shares in D.R. Horton, the largest homebuilder in the nation, which was poised for more growth. She still checks in on that stock, which is doing well.

At River Bank & Trust, Endres started out as a part-time assistant to a commercial lender. She鈥檚 worked with everyone from students her own age to veteran business leaders.

Her life closely follows the calendar on her smartphone.

鈥淚 like a schedule,鈥� Endres said. 鈥淚 like knowing where I鈥檓 going to be. If it鈥檚 not on my calendar, I鈥檓 probably not going to be there.鈥�

Her duties include client relations. After hours, there are community events, business meetings and social affairs. She鈥檚 more interested in serving customers than doing financial analysis.

鈥淚 realized I鈥檓 much more of a relationship person,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檇 much rather see people than work with my head down.鈥�

From the beginning, starting with that first phone call, Endres had Morris鈥檚 confidence and support. That鈥檚 one reason she鈥檚 continuing her career with River Bank.

鈥淎t the time, I thought I realized the opportunity I had, but looking back, I don鈥檛 think I did,鈥� she said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 poured so much into me that I鈥檇 be crazy not to stay.鈥�

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