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 Anhad’s experience at Advisory Group for Life.
“This summer, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to intern at Advisory Group for Life, a financial advisory firm, through the Young Investors Society Global Stock Pitch Competition. It was an interesting experience that gave me a front-row seat to how financial advisors help real clients navigate their financial futures.
One of the first lessons I learned at the firm was the “Three Buckets” strategy, a simple and powerful framework that financial advisors use to divide a client’s assets into three categories: Bucket One for emergency funds, Bucket Two for principal protection, and Bucket Three for long-term growth. What truly brought this concept to life for me was the chance to apply it through a hands-on case study. I was asked to design a financial plan for a hypothetical client approaching retirement. Using the Three Buckets model, I had to analyze the client’s income needs, risk tolerance, and long-term goals to build a diversified strategy that balanced stability with growth. That was an enjoyable experience.
Another key part of my internship was staying informed about the market. Every meeting, we were told to bring in one major financial headline and share its potential impact on investors and advisors. Whether it was about Fed rate changes, inflation trends, or geopolitical developments, these discussions pushed me to think critically about the broader economic landscape and how advisors adjust client strategies in response to it.
Beyond technical skills, this experience taught me that financial advising is just as much about people as it is about money. I saw how advisors communicate complex ideas with clarity and empathy, guiding clients through uncertain times with confidence.
One last time I would like to thank YIS and Advisory Group for Life for this internship. Additionally, I would like to thank Mr. Barrus for the great explanations and deep insight. This experience has only strengthened my passion for finance and my drive to continue growing in the field.”
~Anhad M.
Eastlake High School, Washington