At the Personal Financial Planning Program’s (PFP) 3rd annual EdInvest Wealth Management Forum on October 24, Leeds students gained hands-on experience and career insights through real-world challenges.
From left to right, 2024 finance graduates Brad Hostetler, Chevie Walerowicz, Gilly Halzel and Luke Johnson, and Lexi Schmidt from Beacon Pointe.
This year’s forum, which was facilitated by the Burridge Center for Finance, featured early career and senior advisor career panels, as well as student-led financial literacy roundtables hosted by members of the Financial Planning Student Club.
Additionally, Harry Starn, teaching professor and director of the PFP program, organized a Financial Planning Case Competition sponsored by First Manhattan. The competition featured six teams developing a comprehensive plan that they presented to industry professionals. First- and second-place teams were awarded prizes of $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.
Real-world wisdom for new finance managers
The early career panel featured four Leeds alumni along with industry professional Lexi Schmidt, a wealth advisor at Beacon Pointe. The panel shared candid insights about transitioning from college to the workplace and paths to career success. Luke Jackson (Fin’24), now an associate wealth advisor at Beacon Pointe, described how his internship led to a full-time role and how navigating a three-office merger taught him adaptability.
Gilad “Gilly” Halzel (Fin’24) advanced from client service associate to wealth advisor at Mariner Wealth Advisors and stressed the importance of networking. Chevie Walerowicz (Fin’24) credited her junior-year internship at Mariner for paving the way to her current role as an associate wealth advisor. Brad Hostetler (Fin’24), a financial planning associate at TCI Wealth Advisors, landed his position immediately after graduation.
Students like Denise Arroyo Rojas (Fin’28) found the event invaluable. “I was particularly excited about this event since I’m a sophomore, while most attendees were seniors in the PFP program or had an established career as a financial planner. Everything that the panelists said was fresh and relevant information. I’m grateful to be invited to events like these that give me a chance to peek at what I could possibly be doing after Leeds.”
Key takeaways for career success
Manage energy and time wisely
Halzel noted the shift from college freedom to full-time structure: “Staying energized all day is a big adjustment,” he said, and it’s also about balancing life outside the office. Walerowicz added, “Learn to prioritize and figure out what makes you happy. You’ll have less time for friends and hobbies, so plan for things like going to the gym.”
Interview the company, too
Hostetler encouraged students to approach interviews as mutual evaluations, emphasizing the importance of cultural fit and shared values.
Job or location first?
Schmidt shared her experience of moving to New York, California and then Colorado, the latter of which she came to without having a specific job offer. Lesson learned: “Having a job prior to moving to a city can alleviate so much stress.”
Be a ‘yes’ person
Hostetler advised new hires to immerse themselves as much as possible. “Join meetings, introduce yourself and learn how both individuals and the team work to get a holistic view.”
Make yourself valuable
Jackson suggested identifying gaps and then pursuing certifications to help fill them. “I noticed a skills gap in blockchain and digital assets, so I learned more to add value.”
Classroom knowledge counts
Halzel reinforced the classroom-to-career link. For example, he was skeptical at first but ended up loving a tax planning course taught by Nicole Lazzeri, assistant teaching professor of accounting. He discovered what he learned “is relevant to everything I do at work.”
Build relationships and seek mentors
Halzel emphasized the industry’s collaborative nature. “Colleagues want to help you … listen to their experiences and different specialties.” He reminded students that networking is a lifelong skill and is about authentic connections and natural conversations. Schmidt agreed, noting, “There are no dumb questions.”
Skills That Matter
Early career panelists highlighted important skills to cultivate, both during a job search as well as throughout one’s career.
Authenticity and patience
Walerowicz urged students to be themselves and not stress about having everything figured out. Hostetler added that it’s important to enjoy life and not only focus on your career track. “You’re working really hard … remember to give yourself some grace.”
Soft skills and curiosity
Jackson highlighted trust-building through curiosity. He recommended being well read. “The ability to walk into a room and talk with someone about their passion—that will build a connection immediately.”
Mentorship and continuous learning
Panelists unilaterally recommended seeking advice broadly, not only one-to-one, and taking advantage of every available resource, such as training videos.
Tech savviness and AI integration
Technology is reshaping the industry. Panelists said AI tools are increasingly part of their workday and can help with things like research, staying informed about news and generating reports.
Remote work discipline
Schmidt recommended keeping your day busy and structured to avoid procrastination.
The future financial planner
Hostetler knew early on that he wanted to be an advisor, but he stressed the importance of exploring options. The industry offers many paths: “You can be client-facing without being an advisor. There are roles in client service, relationship management and investment committees. Internships and job searches help you discover what you don’t like and narrow down what you do want. If you can find that alignment, that’s really useful.”
Schmidt added that staying informed is critical. “The future of financial planning is about balance. Read widely and stay on top of news to have educated discussions,” she noted, pointing out that different generations and cultural nuances play a role in expectations.
Hostetler emphasized a shift in priorities. “It’s less about chasing excess returns and more about relationships—making clients feel comfortable, understanding risk tolerance, and covering retirement, cash flow and budgeting cohesively.”
The Leeds advantage
Events like the EdInvest Forum showcase Leeds’ commitment to preparing students for dynamic careers through networking opportunities, case competitions, career treks and more.
“CFP® Professionals are dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve their personal and financial goals,” said Starn. “The Leeds Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Program prepares students with both the technical expertise and interpersonal skills needed for success. Experiences beyond the classroom—such as the EdInvest Wealth Management Forum, internships, networking events and Financial Planning Club activities—provide students with insights that help them discover their career pathways within the financial services industry.”
Interested in exploring the Personal Financial Planning Program at Leeds? Learn more about the curriculum and career opportunities.