Two University of Nebraska–Lincoln finance students gained firsthand insight into careers in financial planning and wealth management through an experiential learning opportunity made possible through alumni support in the Department of Finance.
Kaylen Cote, a senior finance and accounting major, and Zixuan Shi, a junior finance major from Lincoln, Nebraska, attended the IPI Wealth Management, Inc. W2 Wisdom and Wellness retreat in Chesterfield, Missouri. The women's event immersed the students in the finance and wealth management industry through hands-on activities, networking opportunities and conversations with experienced professionals.
“Being surrounded by so many successful women who hold meaningful roles in the industry was incredibly inspiring,” Cote said. “It’s not often that you see large groups of women in finance, and being in that environment was uplifting and encouraging for my own future career,” Cote said. “I was also moved by hearing everyone’s unique career journeys. Many of them took very different paths to reach their current positions, and it showed me that there is no single ‘right’ way to succeed.”
The retreat brought together professionals from IPI and partner firms, including Capital Group, TruChoice Finance, Voya and others. Participants engaged in creative and wellness-focused activities and learned about financial products and services while discussing real-world client situations.
Shi said the smaller setting allowed for meaningful interaction with professionals who openly shared their experiences.
“Throughout the retreat, these professionals shared personal career stories, led presentations and walked us through real situations they’ve faced with clients,” Shi said. “One of the discussions that really stayed with me was about how the future of the wealth management industry is changing and what advisors need to do to protect and act in the best interests of their clients.”
Bayard Closser, '82, a member of the College of Business Finance Advisory Board and president of IPI Wealth Management Inc., invited students to participate as part of a broader effort to strengthen connections between alumni and students while encouraging women to explore careers in financial planning and wealth management.
“As a University of Nebraska alum, the value of building meaningful connections between Huskers past and future while providing insight to promising life missions is critical to our next generation of leaders,” Closser said. “We hope to enlighten today’s students and future professionals to explore concentrations in financial planning and wealth management, aligning with financial industry demands.”
The College of Business Department of Finance also assisted the students with transportation costs to the retreat. Cote and Shi applied to attend after learning about the retreat through Stanislava Nikolova, chair of the Department of Finance and Alice M. Dittman Chair of Banking & Finance.
"Expanding opportunities for our students is a key priority, and we’re always looking to increase engagement with industry professionals. Alumni and professionals play a vital role in our ecosystem, and I encourage those interested in engaging more with the department to reach out to me," Nikolova said. "Whether they join us in the classroom, offer job shadowing or internship opportunities or simply stay connected, their involvement adds substantially to our students’ educational experience."
Both students shared their gratitude as the retreat helped clarify their career goals and plan their next steps as they get closer to graduating.
“Spending time learning from experienced advisors, hearing their stories and seeing what the profession is actually like helped me understand the industry so much better,” Shi said. “It gave me a lot more confidence and motivation about my own career path.”
Cote said the retreat even influenced how she views her future in finance.
“It was an eye-opening experience that not only introduced me to new aspects of financial planning and wealth management but also helped me think more deeply about how I can give back to others through my future career,” Cote said. “It gave me a fresh perspective on my future and made me excited about the possibilities ahead.”
