Name: Marie Elise Fontenot
Nickname: Elise
Hometown: Alexandria, LA
Degree Major: Finance
Classification: Senior
Academic Plans and Career Planning:
1. Why are you in this class?
I am in this class to learn more about financial planning. The material learned in this class
applies to what I want to do in my future career.
2. What would you like to learn from this class?
I would like to learn the fundamentals of financial planning that I can use in everyday
life.
3. What are your intentions for the remainder of your academic career?
My intentions are to learn as much as possible and to do well in my classes until I
graduate in May.
4. Do you plan to get an advanced degree? From where? In what area?
I plan to get a Master’s in Business Administration at LSU after I graduate.
5. Type of jobs for your major. What would you like for your career?
There are many types of jobs for a finance major. A Finance major could work as a
budget analyst, an auditor, and an insurance underwriter.
6. What is the range of incomes for these jobs? Entry level? Experienced?
A personal financial advisor can make more than $114,260 a year not including the
bonuses or sales commissions they may earn.
Auditors can range from less than $34,470 to more than $94,050 a year.
The average salary for insurance underwriters can range from $40,000 to $71,070 a year.
7. What is the employment outlook for these jobs? Current unemployment rate?
The employment outlook for a financial advisor is 27%. This is actually much faster than
average and the demand for financial planning jobs should increase. Also, the current
unemployment rate is 60,300.
8. What are the educational requirements?
The entry level requirements for these jobs are usually just a bachelor’s degree.
9. Any certifications, designations, or advanced degrees do you need? What are the
requirements to achieve these and the cost?
In order to become a financial advisor for small firms, you have to be registered with
state regulators. In order to work for larger firms, one has to be registered with Securities
and Exchange Commission. It is not necessary to get a masters but it can improve
changes for advancement in the occupation or for attracting new clients. Also, getting
your CFP (certified financial planner) enhances personal financial advisors reputation and
can help bring new clients as well.
10.What is the value of having a bachelor or graduate degree?
In order to even become a financial advisor, one has to have a bachelor’s degree.
Graduate degrees are not necessary but can improve chances for advancement in an
occupation or for attracting new clients.
11.Is there a difference in pay for a male vs. female?
There is a difference in pay for males and females. In the finance field, women are paid
76 cents for every dollar males are paid. Having a job in the finance field is, however,
one of the highest paying jobs females can get.
Networking and Career Placement:
1. At this point, what clubs and organizations have you joined to help network?
I am currently in a sorority. Delta Zeta has acquired me to make many connections and I
am in the process of joining the Student Finance Association.
2. Have you registered or used LSU’s career services?
Yes
3. Have you developed a resume’ and model cover letter? How often have you revised it?
I have developed a resume’ and just recently developed a model cover letter. I revise it
every time I need to use my resume.
Job Search:
1. What do you want to do after graduation?
I plan on getting my master’s in business administration.
2. What are your 5 year and 10 year career plans?
By 5 years I hope to establish really great work experience and have an MBA and my
CFP. In 10 years I hope to have a job that I plan to stay at with an income that I am
satisfied with.
3. Who are the primary employers for your desired career?
The primary employers for my desired career are Ernst and Young and Morgan Stanley.
4. Pick two (2) potential employers in the field you desire to obtain employment. Write up
a brief overview of the company. Please explain why you think that would be a good
company for you to begin you career. Use your answer to this question to evaluate the
questions below.
Ernst and Young is one of the “Big Four” audit firms and was the third
largest professional services firm in the world by aggregated revenue in 2012. It
provides assurance, tax consulting, and advisory services to companies. It’s
advisory services consist of either actuarial, IT Risk and Assurance, Risk, and
Performance Improvement. I think this would be a great firm to start my future
career because I would give me phenomenal experience to work in the financial
advisory area at that company.
Morgan Stanley is an American multinational financial services corporation
that provides securities products and services to customers, including
corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals. The company
operates in three business segments: Institutional Securities, Global Wealth
Management Group, and Asset Management. Working for Morgan Stanley would
be a great opportunity and it would give me great experience.
5. What is the cost of living where you are now? What is the cost of living in the area you
would like to live in the future?
The cost of living in Baton Rouge is 16.2% less than the national average cost of living.
The cost of living in New Orleans vs. the cost of living in Baton Rouge is very different.
Rent prices, restaurant prices, and grocery prices are significantly higher in New Orleans
than in Baton Rouge.
6. How much with you spend on housing in the desired area you would like to live?
This would all depend on the job I get and the amount of income I am paid. I plan on
living very cheap for my first few years. I hope having a 1 bedroom apartment that is
$1,000 a month in New Orleans would suffice with the income I have.