Investing in the Next Generation of Financial Professionals
Four WestPoint interns reflect on the lessons, mentorship, and experiences that shaped their summer.
National Intern Day, celebrated each year on July 30, recognizes the value interns bring to organizations while highlighting the importance of meaningful professional development
At WestPoint, our college internship program is designed to provide more than industry experience it offers the opportunity to build confidence, develop meaningful relationships, and gain firsthand experience serving clients.
To celebrate National Intern Day, we selected four outstanding interns from our summer program – Owen Anderson, Seth Nanna, Kaleb Day, and Vincent Gohlke – to share what they’ve learned, the relationships they’ve built, and the experiences that have helped prepare them for careers in the financial services industry.
One lesson stood out across every conversation: meaningful relationships are at the heart of the profession. Whether learning how to build trust with clients, communicate more confidently, or educate families on important financial decisions, each intern experienced firsthand that success begins by putting people first.
The most valuable thing that I have learned during my internship is the importance of building trust with our clients.
Doing so creates a more comfortable environment for conversations about financial topics that can be difficult to discuss.
The interns also spoke about the impact WestPoint’s advisors and leaders had on their growth. Through mentorship, constructive feedback, joint client meetings, and ongoing career conversations, they were able to learn from experienced professionals while gaining confidence in their own abilities.
The conversations with members of the firm have been one of the most valuable parts of my experience and have provided me with opportunities to learn from a variety of perspectives.
Being able to go to anyone at WestPoint has had a huge impact on both my professional growth and my confidence.
Throughout the summer, each intern also had opportunities to make a meaningful impact. From helping clients better understand their financial future to closing their first client case or earning national recognition for their performance, the experience extended well beyond the classroom and reinforced the value of serving others.
I have learned the importance of patience and doing things the right way.
It is our primary responsibility to educate our clients so they can make informed financial decisions, and taking the time to build that trust first will ensure clients are set up for success.
When asked what advice they would offer future interns, the message was consistent: stay coachable, ask questions, embrace every opportunity to learn, and lean on the people around you.
Be a sponge. Listen, ask as many questions as you can, have a positive mindset, and use your resources around the firm to your advantage.
It has been great to see the different approaches that different advisors take into meetings; hopefully I can apply those methods to my own practice someday.
At WestPoint, investing in future leaders means providing opportunities to learn through real experiences, meaningful mentorship, and a collaborative culture that encourages continuous growth.
We congratulate Owen, Seth, Kaleb, and Vincent on a successful summer and look forward to seeing the impact they make as they continue their careers in financial services.