Some say that it’s not what you know, it’s who you know — but what if it’s actually both? That’s how Personal Finance alum Michelle Shaji ’25 was able to launch her career with a leading national wealth management company. Her career path was set in motion thanks to a networking event hosted by the School of Human Ecology.
The importance of internships
Students who work as interns are 25 percent more likely to receive a job offer within six months of graduating, and these offers often come with a higher starting salary. Employers consistently rank internship experience as the most important hiring factor for recent graduates.
“Internships offer invaluable professional learning experiences that bridge the gap between classroom-based theories and real-world applications in workplace settings,” says Alicia Hazen, assistant dean and career services director in an op-ed on internships.
Human Ecology fosters this type of applied learning for all of its students. In fact, it is the only UW–Madison school where every student graduates with an internship or research experience already completed. This commitment is supported by networking events where students connect with organizations who might become their employers — as was the case for Michelle.
Launching a fulfilling career
Each year, a special event brings together representatives from the personal finance industry and students who aspire to work in the field. The workshops help students sharpen their professional skills, while the speed networking and career fair portions create spaces to build connections.
“Personal Finance students are motivated to support the financial well-being of individuals and families,” says Linda Lepe, Consumer Science teaching faculty and Consumer Finance & Financial Planning program director. “Networking events provide a setting where they can find opportunities to do so.”
As the program director, Lepe convenes industry leaders who are dedicated to advancing students’ success. Many of them also serve on the Personal Finance Advisory Board, where they bring insights on current industry trends.
Students often find that the professionals and alumni who they connect with can open doors to opportunities like internships. That is how Michelle landed an internship in financial planning with Keeling Wealth Advisors (KWA), a private practice of Ameriprise Financial Services. Then, after her internship, Michelle was offered a full-time position as an Investment Specialist with the company — an offer she gladly accepted.
“None of this would have been possible without Human Ecology’s support and the connections made through their career fair,” Michelle says.
Michelle’s new role allows her to help clients achieve financial well-being, and is using tools and software that she learned during her internship. As she begins a new professional chapter, Michelle reflects: “Human Ecology opened doors I never imagined, surrounded me with faculty and advisors who truly believed in me and connected me to opportunities that shaped my future.”