Jacquelyn Rosado ’22 MS aspires to become a Certified Financial Planner. She is now receiving a push from the college community which she hopes will enable her to do just that.

Rosado, who has a background in behavioral analysis, is a candidate in the University’s graduate finance program. She will soon be preparing to take the Securities Industry Essentials SIE exam, a basic entry point into the financial services industry. Thanks to the support and benefactor of the Pompea College of Business, she will follow the preparatory course and the exam free of charge.

Rosado, who has a background in behavioral analysis, is a candidate in the University’s graduate finance program. She will soon be preparing to take the Securities Industry Essentials SIE exam, a basic entry point into the financial services industry. Thanks to the support and benefactor of the Pompea College of Business, she will follow the preparatory course and the exam free of charge.

“I am planning to change careers,” she said. “I can’t wait to take this course, especially since it will give me a better idea of ​​what to expect in the job market.

“My passion is to support women in finance”

Debra Abbott-Walker, Financial Consultant for Fair advisers, has worked in the financial services industry for over 30 years. Passionate about the growing diversity in finance – especially when it comes to the number of women in the field – she graciously offered to sponsor 20 students who wish to take the SIE exam, allowing them to take a preparation course for free and the exam.

“My passion is supporting women in finance,” said Abbott-Walker, University Fellow. Women’s Leadership Council. “There are too few women in the industry.

Abbott-Walker recently spoke to students at an information event presented by the University’s Women in Business Club. She spoke about her own career and the importance of the exam, explaining what the exam and the course would entail.

“If you take advantage of this program while you are in school, you will become so much more marketable,” she told the students. “I encourage you all to find something that excites you, something that energizes you and that you believe in.”

Leah Hartman, JD, MBA, a prominent finance speaker who virtually joined the event, offered to reimburse the exam registration fee of $ 60 for students who registered for the course. David Sacco, MBA, residency practitioner in finance, then offered to sponsor 10 other students to take the course.

“It will help you differentiate yourself on the pitch,” he said. “You will need it when you start your career. This course is a step ahead and I encourage you to take advantage of everything you can.

“It’s a great opportunity for us”

The exam preparation program is self-paced and typically lasts about eight weeks. Students who register will take the course in the spring semester of 2022, and those who pass the exam will have it on their university transcript. The course can be taken online and grades are valid for four years.

Candice Deal, Ph.D., associate dean of the University’s Pompea College of Business, says there is considerable overlap between finance and other fields such as accounting. She encouraged students in related disciplines to consider taking the exam.

“This is the first time that we have had this opportunity at the University,” she said. “You will be the first cohort while pursuing your bachelor’s or master’s degree. This is a great opportunity for you now that will benefit you later.

After the event with Abbott-Walker, students such as Rosado and Dharti Patel ’22 MS, a candidate for the University’s graduate finance program, eagerly signed up to take the course. Patel looks forward to the opportunity to further her knowledge of finance, and she hopes this will give her an edge as a candidate for employment.

“This is a great opportunity for us,” said Patel, from India. “It can be difficult for international students to find a job in finance, and it will help us be more competitive. ”