What a Finance Graduate Can Do to Help American Consumers
- Teach Financial Literacy
- Volunteer at Tax Preparation Centers
- Provide Information about Financing College Education
- Participate in Community Events Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
- Support Personal Budgeting and Saving Programs
A college degree is generally viewed as a life-changing milestone. Finance graduates are in the unique position of being better equipped than most when it comes to planning for personal financial success. They have the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of:
- investments
- economics
- business
Aside from contributing to the tax base, these graduates can do more for their communities as:
- a volunteer
- a philanthropist
- by opting for a job that helps the average American directly or indirectly
Here are some opportunities available to finance graduates to help their communities.
Teach Financial Literacy
The most obvious way that graduates can help American consumers is through teaching positions in:
- middle schools
- high schools
- post-secondary institutions
- non-degree centers
Everyone can benefit from financial literacy courses that focus on:
- personal budgets
- savings and investment concepts
- basic business knowledge
Finance graduates can develop courses that are based on real-life trends. They can offer solutions for the most common issues faced by average Americans when it comes to money management.
Volunteer at Tax Preparation Centers
Business and financial management majors have the skills to understand the paperwork involved with tax preparation along with basic knowledge of tax laws. Libraries, senior centers and community organizations offer assistance to tax filers during tax season. A stint at one of these places will provide opportunities to help people complete and file their taxes while making recommendations for financial strategies for subsequent years.
Provide Information about Financing College Education
College financing is a hot-button topic that a graduate specializing in financial courses would be well-equipped to handle. Be prepared to discuss the reality of:
- college loans
- grants
- scholarships
Use your social media presence to present the perspective of one who has survived college or graduate school. Let them know you can help those who are considering their financing options to when it comes to earning a degree. Make sure to present the prospects in realistic terms to help others make an informed decision before committing to college loans.
Participate in Community Events Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
Health and wellness issues are at the forefront of federal and local policy discussions because these are concerns that take up a large part of:
- family budgets
- corporate budgets
- government budgets
The public ignores the impact of unhealthy decisions such as smoking, excessive snacking and lack of exercise until these practices are quantified and expressed in dollar terms. With financial savvy developed in business school, you can help prepare informational materials that will help bring home the point: personal wealth is directly linked to healthy well-being. Health care costs should be discussed along with making better choices as a disease prevention strategy.
Support Personal Budgeting and Saving Programs
Forbes magazine lists six courses that graduates should choose to enhance their employability and life skills. Financial planning and management is one of the recommended courses. It provides basic knowledge of accounting techniques and principles as well as financial and management strategies. Use your expertise to contribute to programs that help young consumers learn basic skills, including:
- creating budgets
- saving strategies
- investment planning
Concluding Thoughts
Investopedia cites a survey that the U.S. is only 14th in the world when it comes to financial literacy in spite of the huge numbers of millionaire and billionaire residents. For the average American, more exposure to the skills and strategies that lead to financial success may be the key skill needed to improve their lifestyle. The finance graduate can certainly join the conversation and contribute to these efforts.
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