I liked having an experience in an office like role working with clients. I also liked the fact that I learned a good bit of financial planning and got to put my knowledge in real life situations with clients. I also liked the fact that we had case study meetings in one-two times a week to build our knowledge with financial planning and gave us scenarios.
What I wish was different
I didn't like the cold calling part of it and it's hard selling insurance, even though that's something that won't change. You're paid on commission, and it's really hard to make that when you have to get people to invest/buy from a college student. So you tell them you're going to have a senior advisor or a joint work partner in the meeting, which increases the probability of closing the deal. The negative part of that is you have to split 50% with your joint work partner of whatever the premium of the insurance product that is sold .
Advice
Just want people to know that it's basically a sales job and get paid off of commission. It's also good to know that you will have to take a life and health insurance exam before you start the internship and then may have to take tests for whatever state your client is from. There's a lot of cold(warm) calling that goes on and that might get uncomfortable. There will be a lot of up and downs, so depending on your personality/patience it definitely might not be for you.
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Intern
June - August 2019 • Colorado Springs, CO
What I liked
I was able to work in a business and financial industry and grow my professional skills.
What I wish was different
It wasn’t an internship program and I didn’t have many jobs to do there. A lot of the time I was bored and just doing busy work.
Advice
Apply to an internship program that has you working with other interns. It will make the experience much more enjoyable.
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College Financial Representative
June - September 2018 • Middleton, WI
What I liked
There was a large level of independence in the job.
What I wish was different
The commission based pay made for lots of stress for a struggling college student. There was not enough money to cover expenses. The other big issue is the whole experience truthfully feels like a pyramid scheme. I had heard this before taking the job from other students who had the internship in the past and it was true. There isn't much care for you as an individual and the internship is truly just for them to get more clients for their full-time representatives.
Communication with your supervisors are poor, and after the internship you will never hear from them again. Take a job anywhere else you can.
Advice
Only take it if money isn't an issue and you have a large network of working professionals in Madison. There was also a large environment and feeling of sexual harassment for workers. I know individuals who felt uncomfortable due to things full-time professional staff had said.
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NorthWestern Mutual
September 2018 • White Plains, NY
What I liked
Amazing experience, great environment, plenty of new material to learn, various of responsibilities that are mostly administrative.
What I wish was different
I wish I had learned about different or various investment techiniques or financial planning.
Advice
A great environment, that continuously provides support and allows interns to grasp a hold of the office life.
