An eye on college graduates ready to make a splash in the advice business

On June 30, InvestmentNews will feature the stories of six recent college graduates entering the financial planning profession — and we'll follow them through their first year in the business. Several, but not all, of the participants in this second annual Year One feature are financial planning majors. Each has scored a job at a financial advisory firm and is eager to become a useful part of the team. Before we introduce you to the new group on Monday, four of the Year One advisers we followed last year — now with a solid year of experience under their belts — have some words of wisdom for our newbies and other next-generation advisers just starting out. Clark Harris The Insight Group Inc. “Being detail-oriented is so important. Know you're going to make a lot of mistakes; trying to learn from those mistakes is valuable. Stay positive through the experience and always look for the good in people's comments.” April Petersen USAA “View everything as an opportunity, don't be afraid to share your knowledge, absorb all the advice given to you and make great first impressions. Make an iron your best friend.”

UPS AND DOWNS

Michael Blumreich BKD Wealth Advisors “There will be ups and downs. There will be days that seem impossible to get through, while others you are able to coast through the finish line with ease. Regardless of the day you are faced with, keep your ears open, eyes forward, always be willing to learn more and do more, and success and happiness will be inevitable.” Matt Romeo Gordon Asset Management “Remember that no task, however small it may seem, is beneath you. Everything you do is part of a much larger experience. Roll your sleeves up and don't be afraid to get dirty.”