Personal Financial Planning (PFP) major Jacob Gurock is spending his summer working as a Summer Associate for FJY Financial. Ever since Jacob was a kid, he says that he has always had an interest in how financial markets work.

"I took an introductory class with Dr. Browning and I absolutely fell in love with the profession," Jacob said. "I knew that once I learned the technical concepts of financial planning, I could utilize my counseling background to make a difference in my clients' lives, and in the profession as a whole."

Jacob describes the program's uniquely small cohorts of students and strong academic rigor, for which he greatly values his education.

"The PFP program at Texas Tech is simply the best in the nation. Alumni of the program are so quick to help, and I have been privy to quite a few mentors who have guided me along the way. The professors are experts in their field, and genuinely care to see us succeed. I am so honored and humbled to be a part of such a tight-knit community."

This tight-knit community of Texas Tech University's Personal Financial Planning program offers students like Jacob the opportunity to further network with industry leaders and alumni at the annual Opportunity Days event. Firms from across the country attend to recruit Texas Tech's financial planning students for internships and even full-time positions.

"I met the CEO of FJY Financial, Jon Yankee, and we quickly developed a rapport. I think Jon is a business visionary when it comes to the field of financial planning," Jacob said. "I also got the chance to meet FJY's COO and alumna of the PFP program, Laurie Belew, who leads the firm's Midland, TX location. Laurie is widely regarded as one of the best financial planners in the nation, and I sincerely hoped that I would get an offer from them."

Jacob's skillset impressed the company and he was offered a summer internship position at FJY Financial.

"I packed my car and drove 23 hours—and quite frankly, I would have driven longer," Jacob said.

Fast-forward to today, Jacob spends his days at the firm working with client relationship management software and assisting the advisors with the rebalancing of portfolios for their clientele. Jacob is trusted with researching investment opportunities, sitting in on client meetings, and much more.

"I have been incredibly busy, to say the least, but I admire FJY's commitment to crafting a meaningful internship and have enjoyed every minute of my time here," Jacob said.
Outside of researching financial plans, creating handouts for student loan repayments, or analyzing new tax law, Jacob has worked alongside the best and brightest.

"Witnessing the difference that we make in our client's lives has been special. This experience has reaffirmed that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life."

Working for one of the top firms in the country has provided Jacob the opportunity to utilize and apply his technical education that the PFP program has provided.

"The experiential knowledge I have gained in my short few months at FJY was been so valuable. I know what to look for in firms when I pursue a full-time position. FJY's framework of values will always be something I can carry with me wherever I go, which will undoubtedly aid me in my future career."