On Tuesday, September 15th, Allison Berger, CFP® and Chad Smith, CFP®, both junior partners at Financial Symmetry, Inc., returned to their alma mater to speak to NC State’s Personal Finance Club, which is based in the College of Management.
The club was created for students who are interested in careers in financial planning, who want to expand their networks and their knowledge of personal finance.
Berger & Smith talked to the group of students about how they started their careers, the importance of managing their personal finances, and some advice on finding jobs in a tough economic climate.
“Be creative.” said Berger. “Everyone has to start somewhere. If you are interested in a specific field, be open to taking an internship or part-time position if you are not able to find full-time work. This could always lead to a more permanent situation or provide you with skills that make you a more attractive candidate to other employers.”
They also encouraged students to start a 401k plan at work, citing that “Starting a savings and investment plan early in your career can help you accumulate wealth more easily than someone who doesn’t start saving until their 30’s or 40’s.”
Chad Smith & Allison Berger are NCSU College of Management alumni, both receiving bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance (in 2000 & 2004, respectively).
To read more advice given by Smith & Berger, and learn more about the Personal Finance Club, click here for the full article.
