The Young Investors Society Global Youth Investment Summit winners from the Global Stock Pitch and Case Study Competition each won a Summer internship at an investment firm.
Below you can read George’s experience at Advisory Group for Life.
“In the three weeks I spent with Mr. Steven Barrus at Advisory Group for Life, I learned more about financial planning and budgeting than I have in two years of business courses at school. I spent the internship with two other bright high school students: Makayo (who was my teammate at YIS’s case competition) and Anhad. While most interns would be put straight to work, Mr. Barrus first made sure we were educated on financial basics. Our first few meetings covered the ‘Bucket Strategy,’ a planning tool professionals use to set aside money for living needs and long-term goals. We learned about the importance of the emergency bucket (6 months of expenses set aside for urgent needs), the protection bucket (which includes both principal protection—another 6 months of expenses set aside—and income protection through stable assets like dividend-generating stocks), and the growth bucket (where remaining funds are invested, with assets diversified differently depending on the client’s risk tolerance). These strategies were crucial as we devised a financial plan for a hypothetical couple approaching retirement, where we collectively built a strategy that allows them to meet their living goals without requiring them to work any longer. Though it was only a case study, our work felt like it had the potential to benefit real people, making it incredibly gratifying.
Another aspect of the internship I enjoyed was the news briefings we would provide for each other at the start of every meeting. Mr. Barrus encouraged us to find articles regarding the economy and the investment world, as these could influence client portfolios and, just as importantly, their emotions. Through this exercise, we learned aspects of a financial advisor’s role beyond pure asset management—namely, how to navigate the client’s opinions and needs in order to develop a trusting relationship. As an added bonus, the research we did and shared allowed us all to become more informed citizens.
Overall, my internship at Advisory Group for Life provided insights that shaped how I approach money myself—from moderating my spending through dedicated budgets to inspiring me to invest portions of my part-time paychecks and build long-term funds. I want to sincerely thank Mr. Barrus, along with Makayo and Anhad, for this opportunity to learn about such a crucial topic hands-on. The skills I’ve gained will undoubtedly serve me well as I navigate my financial future.”
~George W.
St. George’s School, Canada