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Jacquelyn Rosado ’22 M.S. aspires to become a certified financial planner. She is now getting a boost from the University community that, she hopes, will enable her to do just that.

Rosado, who has a background in behavior analytics, is a candidate in the University’s graduate program in finance. She will soon be preparing to take the Securities Industry Essentials SIE exam, a baseline of entry into the financial services industry. Thanks to the support of a Pompea College of Business supporter and benefactor, she’ll be taking the prep course and the exam free of charge.

Rosado, who has a background in behavior analytics, is a candidate in the University’s graduate program in finance. She will soon be preparing to take the Securities Industry Essentials SIE exam, a baseline of entry into the financial services industry. Thanks to the support of a Pompea College of Business supporter and benefactor, she’ll be taking the prep course and the exam free of charge.

“I’m planning to make a career change,” she said. “I’m looking forward to taking this course, especially since it will give me a better idea of what to expect in the workforce.”

‘My passion is supporting women in finance’

Debra Abbott-Walker, a financial consultant for , has been working in the financial services industry for more than 30 years. Passionate about increasing diversity in finance – especially when it comes to the number of women in the field – she graciously offered to sponsor 20 students who want to take the SIE exam, enabling them to take a preparation course and the exam free of charge.

“My passion is supporting women in finance,” said Abbott-Walker, a member of the University’s . “There are too few women in the industry.”

Abbott-Walker recently spoke to students as part of an informational event presented by the University’s Women in Business Club. She discussed her own career and the importance of the exam, explaining what the exam and the course would entail.

“If you take advantage of this program while you are in school, you’ll become so much more marketable,” she told students. “I encourage all of you to find something you’re passionate about, something that energizes you and that you believe in.”

Leah Hartman, J.D., MBA, a distinguished lecturer of finance who joined the event virtually, offered to reimburse the $60 exam entry fee for students who signed up for the course. David Sacco, MBA, a practitioner in residence of finance, then offered to sponsor 10 more students to take the class.

“This will help you differentiate yourselves in the field,” he said. “You will need this when you get started in your career. This class is a leg up, and I encourage you to take advantage of everything you can.”

‘This is a great opportunity for us’

The exam prep program is self-paced and typically takes about eight weeks to complete. Students who register will take the course during the Spring 2022 semester, and those who pass the exam would have it on their University transcript. The course can be completed online, and scores are valid for four years.

Candice Deal, Ph.D., assistant dean of the University’s Pompea College of Business, says there is considerable overlap between finance and other fields such as accounting. She encouraged students in related disciplines to all consider taking the exam.

“This is the first time we’ve had this opportunity at the University,” she said. “You’ll be the first cohort while at the same time you are pursuing your bachelor’s or master’s degree. It’s a great opportunity for you now that will benefit you later.”

After the event with Abbott-Walker, students such as Rosado and Dharti Patel ’22 M.S., a candidate in the University’s graduate program in finance, eagerly signed up to take the course. Patel is looking forward to the opportunity to increase her knowledge of finance, and she hopes it gives her an advantage as a job candidate.

“This is a great opportunity for us,” said Patel, a native of India. “It can be challenging for international students to get a job in finance, and this will help make us more competitive.”