She attended school while considering her career options. Her cousin was applying for a job with Bank of America and encouraged her to do likewise. The cousin took a job elsewhere, but Younger started her banking career in customer service.

Since she’d always been involved in sales and customer service, it was a natural stop.

“I was just at that point in life where you have to put food on the table,” she said.

Her gender has never been a problem at the bank, and she said her employer has been cognizant of her needs to spend time with her family. And promotions come by merit.

“I feel it is a lot more equal,” she said of today’s career field. “In our market, a lot of the managers and assistant managers are female.”

The only time being a woman has been an issue has been with some customers, usually older men.

“Some tend to balk a little when they find two women in charge here,” she said.

Younger always expected to work, because she grew up with a mother who worked outside the home. She was a nurse, and became an administrator for the vo-tech system.

“I did not have to face the trials and tribulations she did in the 1980s,” Younger said. “I would definitely say her era of women forged the way for my generation to have the higher-paying jobs.”

When her mother entered the vo-tech system, the only female students and educators were in nursing and health-related occupations. Today, at Indian Capital Technology Center, students can pursue any course they choose.

Younger’s job gives her the chance to help other women with financial planning.

“I tend to spend a lot of focus and energy on women who come into town; they’re divorced and they’re back,” she said. “I remember what it was like during my divorce and having a child.”

Sometimes divorce can be devastating to a woman’s credit, and Younger helps the newly-single through the financial maze, minimizing the damage.

“Single mothers don’t have a lot of money left over at the end of every month,” she said.

She also encourages them to set up planning for their children’s education. She already has a savings account for her son, so whatever course he pursues, he’ll have some financial backing at age 18.