« back to spotlight stories

Blueprint for Success: Antonio’s CWS Roots and Federal Reserve Experience

Antonio, a Senior at Saint Martin de Porres, has become a standout student and athlete, balancing his dedication to the Men’s Soccer Team with his academic success as a proud Peacock Scholar. However, his pivotal three-year experience with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, through Corporate Work Study truly sets Antonio apart. This opportunity has not only shaped his career aspirations but also influenced his personal growth and academic pursuits in ways he never imagined.

Antonio works in the Real Estate Services Department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, where he supports project engineers with scheduling, estimating, and managing ongoing projects. Most days, Antonio has the opportunity to speak to clients about their ongoing projects. “I get to see how project oversight works from an engineering perspective,” Antonio explains. In the classroom, Antonio enjoys history and physics, both of which he finds valuable in the workplace. His interest in history sharpens his memorization skills—a crucial asset in the engineering field—while physics helps him better understand how things function and come together in real-world applications.

In his third year at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Antonio has taken on more responsibility as his role has evolved. “My first year, I was mostly just filing and sorting,” he shares. “But as time went on, I was given more important projects because my supervisor saw that I could handle it.” Antonio works closely with Domenic Bellone, the Manager of Real Estate Services, who has played a key role in his professional growth. “He’s gone out of his way to support me, even helping create opportunities for life after Saint Martin,” says Antonio. Domenic genuinely believes in Antonio’s potential and consistently encourages him to be his best self. One of Antonio’s favorite memories at his work site is an experience few teenagers ever have. “I was taken into the cash room—a space not even all staff have clearance for,” he recalls. In that moment, Antonio felt truly trusted and respected, seen not just as a student, but as an employee.

When asked why Corporate Work Study is important to him, Antonio smiled and said, “Where do I start?” He credits the program as a key reason for where he is today. The opportunities and real-world experiences—along with skills like organization, public speaking, and networking—have all played a significant role in his growth and success. Antonio is ready to begin the next chapter of his life. While he’s still deciding where he’ll attend college, he plans to major in engineering and is excited to apply everything he’s learned during his time at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. With a strong foundation of real-world experience and a clear sense of purpose, Antonio is looking ahead with confidence and enthusiasm.