Many of the articles that I write for our My City readers relate to an older generation of investors and are often not applicable to the younger generation. This article is a departure from the usual subjects, but in the end, pertains to the financial world in that it offers advice to young people for achieving success in a future career.
As the job market has been red hot as of late, we’ve had the opportunity to work with a few different college students in different capacities. A common theme has emerged with our most dynamic and successful student interactions. Experience in the field that they hope to enter post-college gives them a significant advantage above other students entering the same field.
Looking back at my internships in the financial world revealed to me how they guided my path through my college and career. While I was a sophomore in college, I attempted to intern with Merrill Lynch. I was practically laughed out of the building. When I had inquired about the internship, I was dressed in khakis and a polo shirt. I had no idea that a suit and tie was a requirement, even when just poking your head in to inquire! This was just one thing on my long list of educational tips that my internships eventually taught me. A few months later, I landed an internship with a friend-of-a-friend’s father, who owned a boutique financial-planning firm. This was not a paid internship, but it got my foot in the door and what I learned about the financial industry with Dean Oliver as my mentor, was priceless.
The next spring, I was able to intern with Smith Barney (now Morgan Stanley). This was a minimum-wage-paid position, and I gained even more insight into the field that fascinated me. The following winter, I leveraged these two internships to apply for a full-time personal banker position at Huntington Bank, which allowed me to become fully-licensed in securities while I was still a college senior. After a few years working for the bank in their investment company, I landed a full-time financial advisor position back at Smith Barney. In 2009, my wife and I started our own financial planning firm, LaGore Wealth Management. Lastly, in 2012, I rejoined my original mentor, Dean Oliver, forming Oliver LaGore Van Valin Investment Group.
Succeeding in the transition from student to employee can be quite arduous. If you are currently a college student, I can’t stress enough the importance of getting experience in the field that you wish to enter. There is no easy road to securing employment, but showing potential employers that you have the discipline and dedication to study their industry is a great place to start. It may be difficult finding an applicable internship in your field, but volunteering, as well as accepting an unpaid internship, may very well provide you with the experience you need to start your climb up the corporate ladder.
The New Year has just begun, so start 2019 off right by searching for your summer internship program. Employers will be impressed by your forward-thinking and ability to plan ahead. No one is going to care more about your future than you do. Happy New Year!
800.338.4586 olvinvest.com The Durant 607 E. 2nd Ave., Suite 100 Flint, MI 48502 jlagore@olvinvest.com
Securities offered through Sigma Financial Corporation, member FINRA/SIPC.
Investment advisory services offered through SPC, a registered investment advisor.
OLV Investment Group is independent of Sigma Financial Corporation and SPC.
