Each summer, students from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics gain important real-world professional skills through internships. In each installment of this series, you’ll hear firsthand about how one Lerner student secured their internship, what their experience as an intern was like and what comes next!
Abigail Quinn, Class of 2021, majoring in economics with minors in trust management and business administration, spent her summer in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania as a financial advising intern at the Creative Financial Group.
Q: How did you find out about this internship?
Quinn: I initially met the recruiting directors at the 2018 Fall Career Fair on campus. I reconnected with them at the Wealth Management Networking Night later that semester.
Q: What is the most exciting task that you have undertaken in your role?
Quinn: At the end of the internship, I was paired with a group of other interns to create a full financial plan for a mock family. As a team, we proposed solutions to help the family through retirement, unexpected or premature death and with college planning for their children. This project was exciting as it gave me an opportunity to complete a task that all financial advisors do on a daily basis to help clients. This experience really helped me understand the work I would be doing if I pursued a career as a financial advisor.
Q: What did you learn through this internship that you don’t think you would have learned anywhere else?
Quinn: I worked directly with three established financial advisors at the firm assisting them in client meetings and in client data analysis. Being able to work with mentors helped me understand what a career in financial advising is like.
Creative Financial Group also has a great intern training program. Throughout the program the interns participate in many classes to learn about the company, the industry, marketing as an advisor, financial products and much more. These training courses helped me gain a strong understanding of the industry and how to become a successful financial advisor.
Q: What is an example of a time you were able to apply something you learned at the Lerner College to your role?
Quinn: Throughout my internship, I have been studying for my Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam using online resources provided by Creative Financial Group. A lot of the information I see in the exam materials I learned in my business classes at Lerner. When the time comes for me to take the exam, I know I will be ready because I have prior understanding of the material from my college courses.
Q: What has been the most fun part of your internship?
Quinn: As part of my internship with Creative Financial Group, I got to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia. It was an amazing experience to cook for the families living in the house and know I was making a difference in the community.
Q: How do you think this internship will help you with your professional goals?
Quinn: Interning at Creative Financial Group has provided me with many valuable resources and useful information on the financial industry. As part of this internship, I was able to obtain my Pennsylvania Life and Health Insurance licenses, which I will be able to carry with me as I begin my career. I feel I am more prepared for future opportunities after this internship having completed influential projects and meaningful training courses.
Q: What are your plans or next steps once this internship is over?
Quinn: This fall, I will be interning with the Bryn Mawr Trust Company in Greenville, Delaware as a Trust Intern.