Student plans to bring a helping hand to families through financial planning

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Driven by his goals to build-up others, junior Enrique Domeier majors in personal financial planning to leave a positive impact on those he meets. He says helping individuals is the most rewarding aspect of his upcoming career, something he wants to share with those he interacts with—whether it's through his Greenleaf Trust internship or on Western Michigan University’s campus.  

“From funding a child’s college expenses, to saving for retirement, to buying a house, I want to be a part of making people’s financial dreams come true,” Domeier says.

Building his personal financial planning knowledge started by joining the Financial Planning Association with others in his major. As a junior, Domeier serves as the vice president of event planning and professional outreach, networking with companies and gaining outreach experience to add to his resume.

Being a member of the Financial Planning Association allowed him to find a yearlong internship with Greenleaf Trust, where he is able to find the perfect fit for his future by shadowing different positions within the company. Various roles include relationship specialists who interact frequently with clients, recordkeeping analysts who focus on tasks behind the scenes, and service coordinators who help clients answer any questions they may have.

“I can clearly see how much impact my mentor (Greenleaf Trust Senior Relationship Specialist) Christina Sharp has on her clients' families. She ensures that a healthy, thorough, and complete retirement plan is provided and understood. This has influenced my personal and professional goals of offering that same client service to individuals in the future,” Domeier says of Sharp, who inspired him to be dedicated to assisting people in need of financial advice.

Another mentor he credits with professional development during his time at Western is Eldon McCabe, assistant program manager at the Sanford Center for Financial Planning and Wellness.

“Eldon has shown me the value of networking and staying current on trends and changes in the industry,” says Domeier.

Courses at Western have helped Domeier prepare for his internship and the workforce post-graduation. Concepts can be discussed all day, but putting them to work is the most fulfilling aspect of his education so far.

“I am taking the Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits course at Western for my major. It is cool to see the theory in class and the actual work being done in the field,” he says.

There are a few challenges that Domeier expects to encounter but he is confident in his abilities to take them on.

“What excites me most is the growing demand for financial planners. More and more people need expert advice to manage their savings. As new technology drives the on-demand economy, adapting to such changes can be a huge challenge,” he says.

Although graduation is still in the distance for Domeier, he is already eager to bring his energy to the financial planning industry. Ready to discover the best practices for helping those who need his financial advice, Domeier can look back on all he has learned and look forward to offering support that anyone with a financial question might need.

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