Ben Napierala, CatholicU '25, is a Finance student from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He accepted a job as an Advice Academy Professional at Charles Schwab.

Briefly describe your new job opportunity.

"As an Advice Academy professional, I have spent the last three months studying to obtain the necessary licensing to work in the financial services industry. Over the next year, I will work towards my CFP designation and support the Schwab Wealth Advisory Department. I assist wealth advisors with their clients, and eventually will move into that role myself."

How did your Busch School and Catholic University education help you find this career path?

"The Busch School was instrumental in narrowing down what I wanted my career to look like. Thanks to my coursework I was able to learn about the wide range of opportunities in the world of finance. I was able to land internships thanks to the confidence the Busch School instilled in me and use that coursework to succeed. My three internship experiences helped to demonstrate my skills and make connections; ultimately landing me a job at Charles Schwab."

What activities were you involved in during undergrad?

"During my time at Catholic, I participated in the Orientation Program, CUA on Wall Street, and club lacrosse."

What were some highlights of your time at Catholic University?

"At CUA, there were so many unique opportunities to experience, and they can all help someone towards their career goals. Being an Orientation Advisor developed my leadership and communication skills that now help me in my day-to-day at Charles Schwab. I enjoyed my time at Catholic University and felt inspired by my peers and professors to achieve my goals."

What advice do you have for students during their job search?

"The advice I would give to student during their job search is to develop three hard skills and three soft skills. Hard skills are like investment management, and soft skills are more like traits associated with your personality, such as leadership. Ensure those traits can be backed up by experiences you've had. It doesn't matter if it's in school or in a work experience, but be able to show an employer the proof. Good luck!"