Four PennWest University students gained firsthand insight into the financial planning industry during a two-day experiential learning trip to Pittsburgh, where they visited four financial firms and networked with industry professionals.

The students included three from PennWest's Edinboro campus: Megan Simonetta, a finance and personal financial planning major from Cochranton; Julius Kosco, a dual finance and personal financial planning and accounting major from Meadville; and Octavia Kosco, a finance and personal financial planning major from Meadville.

They were joined by Claire Sheppard, a California campus student from Coraopolis majoring in finance and personal financial planning with a minor in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The trip began at Allegheny Financial Group, an independent registered investment advisor, where students met with financial planners to learn about the firm's approach to serving clients and structuring its practice.

Students then visited Beratung Advisors, where they explored the firm's faith- and values-based financial planning model, emphasis on long-term client relationships and opportunities for career advancement.

The first day concluded with a NextGen advisors networking event hosted by the Financial Planning Association's Pittsburgh chapter at Federal Gallery.

On the second day, students visited Federated Hermes to learn how portfolio strategists support financial advisors in constructing investment portfolios. The trip concluded at FocusPartners, where students participated in a roundtable discussion with senior and early-career financial advisors and gained insight into the firm's operations and career opportunities.

“The opportunity to learn directly from professionals provided a better understanding of the knowledge, communication, and relationship-building skills that shape a career in financial planning,” Kosco said.

The experience provided students with opportunities to connect classroom learning to professional practice, explore different approaches to financial planning and build connections within the industry.

For more information about PennWest's finance and personal financial planning programs, contact Dr. Shaun Pfeiffer at spfeiffer@pennwest.edu.