At Financial Symmetry, our internship program has become a core pillar of our growth, innovation, and client experience.
Over time, our program has grown into a foundational development engine, helping to shape the services Financial Symmetry offers and the team culture itself.
What has emerged from these iterations is the recognition that our best chance of success comes from integrating interns directly into the firm’s core wealth management processes. This hands-on approach creates a feedback loop where interns don’t just complete busywork; they contribute valuable perspectives and even shape workflows that staff rely upon to this day.
Staggered Roles and Real Responsibilities
A major factor in Financial Symmetry’s success has been its commitment to treating interns as integral members of the team. Rather than relegating students to simple tasks, we immerse them in real client work, encompassing tasks such as tax planning and estate preparation, as well as attending client meetings and onboarding new accounts. This accelerates their learning and provides a transparent view of the daily operations of a wealth management firm.
One critical lesson has been the importance of staggering intern onboarding and graduation dates. The firm learned, sometimes the hard way, that losing multiple seasoned interns at once creates a knowledge gap and strains training for newcomers. Now, by overlapping summer and fall interns and encouraging longer-term participation, we ensure a smoother transition and sustained knowledge transfer.
Cultivating Talent and Empowering with Trust
Trust forms the bedrock of the program, both in terms of the responsibilities given to interns and the willingness to let them learn from mistakes. To build this trust, Financial Symmetry employs an assessment process to gauge each intern’s strengths and development goals, which helps tailor the training they receive. The openness to mistakes is viewed as a learning opportunity, not just for the intern but for the firm as a whole.
Feedback is constant and multi-directional. Interns receive real-time coaching, and their questions or suggestions are encouraged. This culture creates interns who not only know how to do the work, but why it matters, a trait that translates into higher client satisfaction and strong professional bonds.
Benefits to the Firm and Clients
Over 116 interns have now been a part of Financial Symmetry’s journey through the program, with many remaining at the company and progressing into leadership roles. The ripple effect is evident: clients enjoy consistency, seeing familiar faces year after year, and the firm benefits from a self-sustaining talent pipeline that knows the business inside out.
We encourage other firms to approach internships with intentionality, know what you need, create clear goals, and invest in mentorship. For students interested in joining, proactivity and curiosity are key: reach out early, ask thoughtful questions, and realize that these experiences can shape not only your own future but that of the firm and its clients.
A robust internship program requires commitment and flexibility, yet the rewards are profound. At Financial Symmetry, the investment in young talent has fueled innovation, continuity, and a uniquely client-centered culture, proving that the principles of long-term thinking apply as much to people as they do to portfolios.
Outline of This Episode
- [00:00] Financial Symmetry’s influential internship program, with insights from Heather Gudac.
- [04:13] Refining processes through internships.
- [06:42] Internship growth and uniqueness.
- [12:06] Intern assessment and development process.
- [14:50] Empowering interns through engagement.
- [17:49] Internship planning and goal setting.
Resources & People Mentioned
- Financial Symmetry’s Internship Program
- Heather’s Linkedin Tribute
- JFP – Launching an Internship Program
