Growing up, what kind of relationship did you have with money?

Growing up with a single mother definitely impacted my relationship with money. I held on tightly to money to feel a sense of security that I didn’t have as a child.

What was it like to serve as an SFEPD Student Ambassador teaching your peers about personal finance, and what did you learn about yourself from this experience?

I enjoyed learning more about finance in a more applicable sense than some of my courses. This was an interesting opportunity that I think other students should take advantage of.

What are the major benefits of students learning personal finance skills through seminars and classes during their college years?

I honestly feel financial education should be a part of education from high school onward. However, this is important in college because for a lot of students this is their first time learning about finances at all. In college, we are responsible for ourselves, and moving into the real world without knowledge of how to manage finances is something that has the potential to alter the quality of lives.

When should students start learning basic concepts about personal finance (in elementary, middle school, high school, or college) and why?

In a scholastic environment, high school. However, I think that more students should be able to have conversations with adults about finances.

If you could share one financial tip with college students, what would it be?

Be aware! This includes being aware of student loans, credit cards, discretionary spending, etc. I feel like it is really easy to move through college without paying attention to finances because we think it won’t matter, but it will in the long run.

As a result of your Student Ambassador experience, what key lessons did you learn to help you manage your money better and is planning for your financial future an important goal after college?

Taking the money management course definitely gave me insight into aspects of money that I haven’t had a lot of experience within my courses (such as personal retirement). I also think that budgeting is of utmost importance as I move into my postgrad life.

How did serving as a Student Ambassador help you prepare for your future and your career goals?

Post-grad I will be working as a wealth manager in Manhattan at UBS.