6 answers
Wilson
Student
Richardson, Texas
1
Question
Asked
558 views
What are the best ways to develop skills as a freshman in College?
I am a freshman in Finance, I know maybe I am rushing into things but it wouldn't hurt to try and develop some traits. I am targeting wealth management and am a Fidelity Scholar at UTD
Login to comment
5 answers
Johnson Tran
Tutor
66
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Johnson’s Answer
Hi Wilson,
You're not rushing at all. Starting this as a freshman is a smart move.
Focus on these three things: communication, networking, and technical skills. Get comfortable with Excel and basic finance concepts, and practice explaining complex ideas clearly. Wealth management relies on building trust as much as on investments.
Join finance clubs and attend employer events. Connect with upperclassmen or professionals for quick chats—you'll learn more from a 15-minute talk than from a textbook.
Try to get an internship or shadow someone, even in a small role. Real-world experience now will help you find what you enjoy in finance.
Keep being curious and developing good habits. They'll make things easier in the future. Good luck!
You're not rushing at all. Starting this as a freshman is a smart move.
Focus on these three things: communication, networking, and technical skills. Get comfortable with Excel and basic finance concepts, and practice explaining complex ideas clearly. Wealth management relies on building trust as much as on investments.
Join finance clubs and attend employer events. Connect with upperclassmen or professionals for quick chats—you'll learn more from a 15-minute talk than from a textbook.
Try to get an internship or shadow someone, even in a small role. Real-world experience now will help you find what you enjoy in finance.
Keep being curious and developing good habits. They'll make things easier in the future. Good luck!
Sarah Cockrell, MBA, MSCM
Organizational Development
62
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Hi! You are not rushing. Freshman year is a great time to explore, build foundational skills, and learn what wealth management actually involves without expecting yourself to have your entire career mapped out.
Since you are studying finance and interested in wealth management, I recommend focusing on five areas:
1. Strengthen your communication skills. Wealth management is not only about understanding money. Advisors must explain complex information clearly, listen carefully, build trust, and maintain relationships. Take courses or join activities that help you practice speaking, writing, and presenting.
2. Build your financial knowledge. Learn the fundamentals of investing, financial planning, taxes, retirement, and risk management. You can also follow reputable financial news and practice explaining what you learn in plain language.
3. Gain practical experience. Look for internships, job-shadowing opportunities, campus employment, or volunteer roles involving budgeting, financial education, or customer service. Your first experience does not need to be a formal wealth management internship to help you develop relevant skills.
4. Use the opportunities already around you. As a Fidelity Scholar, learn about every mentoring, networking, professional development, and internship opportunity available through the program. Also connect with professors, career services, finance organizations, and alumni at UTD.
5. Develop your professional reputation. Be dependable, prepared, curious, and willing to follow through. Technical knowledge can be taught, but qualities such as integrity, initiative, judgment, and professionalism are especially important when clients are trusting you with their financial futures.
I also encourage students with a specific career interest to gain experience in that field before deciding exactly where they want to specialize. Try to speak with people working in private banking, financial planning, investment management, and other areas of finance. Wealth management may remain your goal, or those conversations may introduce you to a path you have not considered.
For now, choose one or two goals each semester. You might join a finance organization, attend two employer events, arrange an informational interview, and apply for a summer opportunity. Consistent progress will help you build skills without making your freshman year feel like a race.
Since you are studying finance and interested in wealth management, I recommend focusing on five areas:
1. Strengthen your communication skills. Wealth management is not only about understanding money. Advisors must explain complex information clearly, listen carefully, build trust, and maintain relationships. Take courses or join activities that help you practice speaking, writing, and presenting.
2. Build your financial knowledge. Learn the fundamentals of investing, financial planning, taxes, retirement, and risk management. You can also follow reputable financial news and practice explaining what you learn in plain language.
3. Gain practical experience. Look for internships, job-shadowing opportunities, campus employment, or volunteer roles involving budgeting, financial education, or customer service. Your first experience does not need to be a formal wealth management internship to help you develop relevant skills.
4. Use the opportunities already around you. As a Fidelity Scholar, learn about every mentoring, networking, professional development, and internship opportunity available through the program. Also connect with professors, career services, finance organizations, and alumni at UTD.
5. Develop your professional reputation. Be dependable, prepared, curious, and willing to follow through. Technical knowledge can be taught, but qualities such as integrity, initiative, judgment, and professionalism are especially important when clients are trusting you with their financial futures.
I also encourage students with a specific career interest to gain experience in that field before deciding exactly where they want to specialize. Try to speak with people working in private banking, financial planning, investment management, and other areas of finance. Wealth management may remain your goal, or those conversations may introduce you to a path you have not considered.
For now, choose one or two goals each semester. You might join a finance organization, attend two employer events, arrange an informational interview, and apply for a summer opportunity. Consistent progress will help you build skills without making your freshman year feel like a race.
Marc DeMartis
Commercial Associate/Relationship Manager
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Marc’s Answer
First of all - CONGRATS on getting into UTD, that's a great business school! Second, lots of credit to you for getting ahead on your career - you can never be too early to start preparing.
To echo Sarah's point - the name of the game is networking. Everyone hires people they're familiar with. The more you network, the more professionals you know at different firms, the better your chances are at landing a great internship at a great wealth management firm. Take advantage of going to such a large and strong school such as UTD. I was Dm'ing alumni on Linkedin NONSTOP when I was in college and it paid off big time.
Also, the SIE Exam is a huge advantage if you pass it before graduating. Don't rush this though, the credential is only valid for 4 years so aim to do this during the summer entering your junior year. It will make you even more impressive for internships and careers in your final 2 years at college. Your resume will be far ahead others.
Wishing you all the best!
To echo Sarah's point - the name of the game is networking. Everyone hires people they're familiar with. The more you network, the more professionals you know at different firms, the better your chances are at landing a great internship at a great wealth management firm. Take advantage of going to such a large and strong school such as UTD. I was Dm'ing alumni on Linkedin NONSTOP when I was in college and it paid off big time.
Also, the SIE Exam is a huge advantage if you pass it before graduating. Don't rush this though, the credential is only valid for 4 years so aim to do this during the summer entering your junior year. It will make you even more impressive for internships and careers in your final 2 years at college. Your resume will be far ahead others.
Wishing you all the best!
Sai P
Risk Manager, Financial Technology
1
Answer
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Sai’s Answer
Congratulations on becoming a Fidelity scholar! This is a fantastic opportunity, and I encourage you to look into internships and job shadowing at Fidelity to gain valuable experience.
To build a strong foundation in Wealth Management, start by researching the different roles available and find out which ones interest you the most. Here are some career paths in Wealth Management to consider:
1. Relationship Manager: This role involves working with customers, so strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential. Keeping up with financial news, like reading the Wall Street Journal, can also be helpful.
2. Portfolio Analyst: This position requires good financial analysis and analytical skills. Earning certifications like the CFA can be beneficial.
3. Back Office Processing & Accounting: For this role, focus on developing skills in finance, accounting, operations, and technology.
Each path offers unique opportunities to grow and succeed in the Wealth Management field.
To build a strong foundation in Wealth Management, start by researching the different roles available and find out which ones interest you the most. Here are some career paths in Wealth Management to consider:
1. Relationship Manager: This role involves working with customers, so strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential. Keeping up with financial news, like reading the Wall Street Journal, can also be helpful.
2. Portfolio Analyst: This position requires good financial analysis and analytical skills. Earning certifications like the CFA can be beneficial.
3. Back Office Processing & Accounting: For this role, focus on developing skills in finance, accounting, operations, and technology.
Each path offers unique opportunities to grow and succeed in the Wealth Management field.
Evi Duro
Controllers
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Evi’s Answer
Hi Wilson!
I am a recent graduate so I remember very vividly what this was like when I was breaking into finance.
My biggest tip would be to reach out to your upperclassmen who have secured wealth management internships (use linkedin) and coffee chat them. Ask them what they were asked during the interview, how they prepared, what they used to keep up with the news, who they networked with for the job (this gets you far for wealth management, etc. Because its just an upperclassmen you can keep the conversation casual and honest, you're not in competition with them so they should be more than willing to help and speak candidly about their experience.
Once you feel comfortable with carrying conversation regarding wealth, start coffee chatting professionals in the industry. Again, starting with analysts and then slowly moving up. Pairing this networking strategy with internships during the summer times will put you in a great spot.
Don't rush the networking, its definitely not some sort of quota you have to hit. Start slowly and gain confidence and the rest will organically follow. Good luck!!
I am a recent graduate so I remember very vividly what this was like when I was breaking into finance.
My biggest tip would be to reach out to your upperclassmen who have secured wealth management internships (use linkedin) and coffee chat them. Ask them what they were asked during the interview, how they prepared, what they used to keep up with the news, who they networked with for the job (this gets you far for wealth management, etc. Because its just an upperclassmen you can keep the conversation casual and honest, you're not in competition with them so they should be more than willing to help and speak candidly about their experience.
Once you feel comfortable with carrying conversation regarding wealth, start coffee chatting professionals in the industry. Again, starting with analysts and then slowly moving up. Pairing this networking strategy with internships during the summer times will put you in a great spot.
Don't rush the networking, its definitely not some sort of quota you have to hit. Start slowly and gain confidence and the rest will organically follow. Good luck!!