Distinguished Business Speakers Series Tackles How Students Can Prep for Financial Success

Published on: November 20, 2024

The second Distinguished Business Speakers Series event at Husson University for the 2024-2025 school year was held on Nov. 20 at the Gracie Theatre and featured a panel discussion on economic and financial planning strategies for the future moderated by Husson University Dean Marie Hansen.

Panelists included Associate Professor of Finance Jia Liu and Dr. Phil Grant Distinguished Professor of Management and Economics Steven Cunningham, Camden National Bank Senior Vice President Sven Bartholomew and Certified Financial Planner Ryan Bartlett.

The discussion focused on advice for students on how to prepare themselves for financial success. Liu suggested that all students should take a budgeting class and also learn about making investments so they can grow their wealth. 

“No matter what you do, you have to deal with your financial issues that costs cover like your retirement planning, basic management, and your investments,” said Liu.

Living within ones means is an important part of this. Bartholomew stressed the importance of avoiding the trappings of credit which is easy to accumulate but harder to pay off.

“Dedicate a little bit of time to look at where you’re spending your money, pull up your monthly, look at your online banking and say is this really where I should be spending money,” said Bartholomew.

Bartlett, who graduated from Husson in 2015, advised the audience to take opportunities as they come.

“Don’t waste any time getting the certifications, the licenses, the things that you need. Jump in [and] run with it, because life … catches up to you really quick. You have kids. You get married,” said Bartlett.

The first step though is finding a job that’s a good fit, Bartholomew said. Cunningham agreed, sharing a story of a student who found a well-paying job that they didn’t at all enjoy.

“Understanding where you fit in this world is a big part of how much happiness you’ll have in your career,” said Bartholomew.

— Allison Yost