The second in a series, John Hauserman, an Academy of Finance advisor and Certified Financial Planner, discusses the importances of work place skills and college entrance. He writes,
"The Academy of Finance Gives Students Essential Job Skills and a Competitive Edge in College Admissions
“As a volunteer member of the advisory board for the Howard County Public Schools Academy of Finance (AOF), I have had the pleasure of getting to know many of the kids who have completed the program, as well as the staff who teach and work with them. I am also a Certified Financial Planner TM professional with my own small business and am the proud parent of two children who recently graduated from the Howard County Public School System. I simply can’t emphasize enough how impressed I am by the AOF and the Applications and Research Laboratory for the impact that they have on the lives and futures of our kids.
“ I have had the opportunity to work with the students on a number of levels, including mentoring, hosting internships and coaching the Personal Finance Challenge team (which our students have won for the last three years in a row). When I make hiring decisions, the primary attributes that I look for in a candidate are professionalism, attitude, and problem solving. In today’s fast-paced word, I know that technical skills will change rapidly and that the people who will best be able to adjust are those who hold these core competencies.
“During the two-year program, the AOF students will become proficient in public speaking, familiar with professional dress and conduct codes (including firm handshakes and eye contact), as well as versed in business basics such as accounting, finance, economics and more. My favorite, though, is the formal dinner experience. Teacher Maddy Halbach brings in an etiquette expert who provides a common sense and surprisingly entertaining presentation on proper conduct at a formal meal. The meal is provided by the lab’s Culinary Academy students who plan, prepare and serve the meal. These important skills are often overlooked, but they can be essential to success in the business world. Whether entertaining clients, rubbing elbows with a potential boss or representing the company at a public function, these skills can really separate those who are moving forward from those who have stalled in their careers.
“As a parent, the benefits of the AOF are even easier to understand. Not only will successful completion of the AOF program help your children to get a job, but it will also help them get into a great college and might even make the difference in scholarship considerations. Competitive colleges will have no shortage of applications from kids with great grades. They want students who have proven that they are willing to go above the call of duty. They want students who already have a meaningful resume.
“What our students need to stand out are experiences: internships with local businesses, advanced placement or gifted and talented courses, proficiency in business skills, volunteering and mentorship activities, public speaking skills, leadership and a history of cooperative learning and collaboration. All of these skills can be developed through participation in the AOF.”
John Hauserman, CFP®