Hey everyone! My name is Brandon, and I’m a fourth-year university student studying to become a Financial Planner. As a member of the Emerging Professional Committee for the FAAA, I’m excited to share some key insights, tips, and tricks to help you get the most out of your university experience and set you up for success in your financial planning career.
Clubs, Groups & Societies:
We all know that connections are important and meeting new people opens different doors to opportunities, so my first tip to everyone studying at university is to join a club focused on finance. Being part of a group not only helps you have more of an understanding of the field you’re going into but also allows you to meet like-minded individuals who share your passion or have common interests. These organisations will host events, workshops and networking sessions that will give you a competitive head start in expanding who you know and what you know.
TIPS & TRICKS 1: To get the most out of these events, ask questions. Sometimes, we freeze or forget what we wanted to say in the moment, so I recommend writing down three questions beforehand to ensure you don’t forget.
Mentorship:
Seek mentorship from individuals who are in positions you aspire to reach. They can provide invaluable advice, help you avoid common mistakes, and introduce you to key networks in the financial planning industry. Many universities offer free mentorship programs, or you can connect with professionals through networking events and online platforms.
TIPS & TRICKS 2: Utilise mentoring opportunities to discover professional organisations that can shape your career. For instance, my mentor introduced me to the FAAA, which led to attending the FAAA 2023 Conference on a student scholarship. This experience was pivotal in solidifying my decision to pursue a career in financial planning.
Balance and Wellbeing:
Lastly, maintain a healthy balance between your academic, professional, and personal life. University can be demanding, and it’s important to take care of your mental and physical well-being. Engage in activities you enjoy, exercise regularly, and don’t hesitate to seek support if you’re feeling overwhelmed. A well-balanced life contributes to overall success and happiness.
TIPS & TRICKS 3: I’ve found having a certain mentality to be extremely beneficial throughout life to finding balance and well-being for yourself. Sometimes we don’t understand what fills up our cup or what we enjoy, but adopting the mindset of ‘Every time you do something you don’t like, you get closer to what you do like’ will assist you in being more open to trying new things and eventually finding what energises you.
Content sourced from FAAA Emerging Professionals Committee
