Learning from the Experts: Wealth Management Industry Exploration Night at MBS

This spring, the Maine Business School held Industry Exploration Night: Wealth Management鈥攁 professional development event to connect industry professionals and students. The evening of wealth management industry exposure, education, and networking was another success for MBS, with over 50 students in attendance at the Buchanan Alumni House. 

Garrett McKnight, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of , our Presenting Sponsor, kicked off the event with a warm welcome. “Events like this allow students to really hear what people’s journeys are like and provide them the opportunity to potentially create relationships that can help navigate their next steps鈥攚hich could be an internship or their entry into the job market,” McKnight says.聽

Representatives from Camden National Wealth Management, Acadia Wealth Planning, Barresi Financial, Division of United Insurance, Bigelow Investments, Edward Jones, Guidance Point Retirement Services, LLC, Means Wealth Management, Morgan Stanley, and Skinner Retirement & Benefits Consulting shared their insights during our panel discussion. They discussed their career journeys, their ideas about wealth management before entering the field, and offered advice to students interested in exploring the industry as new college graduates. 

“I hope students gained a clearer understanding of what it really means to work in wealth management and the variety of opportunities within the field,” says Erin Barry, ’07, G’08, CEO of Means Wealth Management. “Events like this can help students see that there may be a career path here they hadn’t originally considered.”聽

Presley Rideout, an Accounting and Management major from Brewer, ME, was excited to learn about how deeply client relationships matter in the wealth management industry. “As a people person, I see myself in a field where the customer relationship is the foundation of success,” she says. “I was happy to learn that these relationships are of importance in the industry.”聽

Following the panel, students enjoyed refreshments sponsored by while networking with employers. “The ability to hear from experienced members of the community in a relatively relaxed manner is great,” McKnight says. “It provides an easy way to learn more about a field they may be interested in.”聽

Hallie Taunton, a Finance and Management major from Saratoga Springs, NY, agreed. “My main takeaway was that wealth management isn’t just stocks and numbers, it’s also about connecting with your clients, hearing their stories, and helping them achieve their goals,” she says. “This event helped me fully understand the various opportunities in this industry.鈥�

Professional development events such as Industry Exploration Night continue to help Maine Business School students better understand various careers, gain advice from professionals, connect with alums, and take meaningful steps toward their future goals.

Story by Regan Lawn | Photos by Andie Lovejoy