Mariah Acap's test of time management

Mariah Acap's first year in the advisory business has cemented her resolve to become a full-fledged financial adviser, even if some things are taking more time than she expected. The adviser assistant at Buttonwood Financial Advisors finds herself struggling to block off time from work and her personal life to study for securities exams. She already earned her life and health insurance license, but she had been hoping to take the Series 65 exam a couple months ago. “It's taking longer than I expected,” said Ms. Acap, 23. “Work stuff comes up and life stuff comes up, and it becomes hard to focus on knocking out the exams.” Part of the distraction has been planning for her Nov. 7 wedding. But she also finds herself not wanting to put down her work helping to create financial plans for clients. Her bosses support making the exams a priority and give her subtle nudges by reminding her that she can't meet with clients about the plans she creates until she has that designation. (More: Following a defined career path) “Every time I write a plan, they say, "You should be presenting this,'” Ms. Acap said.

ON TO NEXT LEVEL

After conquering the Series 65 exam, she's planning to take classes for the certified financial planner designation and expects to be a full adviser within four years. Ms. Acap, who graduated from Towson State University last May with a degree in business administration and a concentration in finance, has some advice for those following behind her in this industry. “Sign on with a firm that jibes with your lifestyle,” she said. “If you are a family-oriented person, don't sign on with a firm that wants you to work 60 hours a week.” She recommends that candidates be candid with potential employers if work-life balance is important to them and keep interviewing with firms until they find a good match. “Don't hate your job,” she said. Ms. Acap is thrilled with her decision to join Baltimore-based Buttonwood. In addition to supporting a sound work-life balance, she said, the mentoring offered by the firm's two principals, Damian Gallina and Jeff Malcom, has been critical to her growth. “If they hadn't invested all this time in me, I wouldn't be where I am, helping them write plans now with no direction,” she said.