What if I told you that you have the opportunity to learn all the tips and tricks to being a personal finance guru while also helping and interacting with your peers?
This is one of the main reasons why I became a . As someone who has never previously been exposed to the personal finance world, I was not exactly sure what I was getting myself into, but I knew how important financial awareness is for a college student.
Often, student loans and credit card debt put a reasonably negative stigma around all things personal finance, but as a Smart Money Coach, you learn to reduce those stigmas and help your peers along the way.
After being accepted into the program, I took a 3 credit personal finance course that allowed me to build my knowledge of foundational personal finance principles while practicing Smart Money Coaching sessions and presentations.
For me, becoming a Smart Money Coach was not just about learning the main principles of personal finance. It was about spreading financial awareness. Every day that I work in the , I sit down one-on-one with my peers for coaching sessions that are tailored to their needs. Whether it’s exploring student loan repayment options or understanding the best methods for budgeting as an unemployed college student, the goal is to have everyone who leaves an appointment feel that they are more aware of their unique financial situation.
This awareness is a fundamental skill that students can build upon throughout their college career and after graduation. As a Smart Money Coach, you get to play a part in this milestone.
I love being a Smart Money Coach because I learn from my peers just as much as they learn from me, and I truly feel like I can help make an impact. To top it off, it is an incredible experience to put on your resume!
Do you want to do something that will help you reach your professional goals and your knowledge of personal finance principles while also helping others? If you think you might be interested, WE WANT YOU! Applications to become a Smart Money Coach are due on Friday, March 22. All you have to do is email your resume and cover letter to FinLit@syr.edu with the subject line “Coach Application.” You must be a rising sophomore or junior with the ability to accommodate a 3 credit course into your schedule next semester (Fall 2019) to learn about personal finance.
Apply today and take your first steps towards becoming a Coach!
Written by Melissa Marchetti ’20, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs