Amanda Burgess ‘25, M’26, a finance major in the Barney School of Business honors program, has a passion for personal finance, investing, budgeting, and working with numbers. As part of the 3+1 accelerated program, she will continue her studies at UHart and complete her MBA while working as a client relationship associate for WHZ Strategic Wealth Advisors, the first step in her journey to becoming a financial advisor.
Amanda credits the Allan Center for Career and Professional Development, the Center for Student Success, faculty, staff, and other advisors as valuable resources during her undergraduate studies. “Networking events were extremely helpful and taught me how to step out of my comfort zone and talk to people I didn’t know,” she says. “Additionally, all of my finance and Barney core courses helped me become well-rounded and prepared for my MBA.” Amanda notes that events like career fairs and résumé workshops helped her achieve her professional goals.
Professor of Finance Malek Lashgari assisted Amanda in securing her position at WHZ by serving as a reference. “Thanks to him and my other two professional references, the hiring team felt confident I would be a great fit,” Amanda explains. “I applied the enhanced communication skills I learned at UHart during the job interview, along with proper business etiquette. I knew it was best to be overdressed rather than underdressed and to always send follow-up thank-you emails to my interviewer. Little things can make a person stand out.”
Amanda got a jumpstart on her career by interning at Hightower Advisors, which provided insight into the wealth management industry and solidified her goal of becoming a financial advisor.
Her advice for incoming students? Stay organized and respect your professors.
Amanda Burgess ‘25, M’26, Barney School of BusinessMy favorite part about UHart is the environment. I enjoy the small class sizes, which allow for better relationships with professors.