By Justin Laue, Harbor Intern
The Personal Financial Planning, PFP program is a new track offered through Leeds School of Business at CU Boulder that helps students majoring in finance to focus their studies on the personal planning sector. Coursework is geared towards providing students with the skills necessary to assist clients by creating a financial plan. Students will gain an understanding on a broad range of financial topics paired with instruction on how to build healthy client relationships. The program gives students a clear career path as it helps prepare them for the CFP® examination and has been approved by the Certified Financial PlannerTM Board of Standards.
Photo by Joey Kyber on Unsplash
This new and exciting program caught my attention immediately after Tom Nelson introduced it during one of my finance courses sophomore year. A light bulb had lit up above my head, it fit all the criteria that I had set for my career search. Business environment working with numbers and analysis, check. Exposure to a wide array of subject matters with the possibility to learn about new companies on the investment side, check. Finally, the ability to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them plan for and achieve their financial goals, check.
After an insanely hectic, busy junior year I took some time to reflect on my choice to enter the PFP program. I weighed the pros and cons and ultimately decided I was still extremely excited about my decision. It had not been an easy two semesters, but they were definitely gratifying. The road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but the challenge would fuel and propel me forward.
Numerous professionals that I’ve had the pleasure to talk with about financial planning all seem to touch on how rewarding the line of work truly is. In the coming years I can’t wait to put in the hard work necessary for a bright career in the industry. The opportunities I have been presented with thus far have helped me learn and grow into an aspiring young planner.