Why did you choose Marquette?
Marquette was part of my life well before I became a student. Several members of my family attended the university, so growing up, I made regular trips to campus for move-in days, cultural performances and, of course, Marquette sporting events.
By the time I was in high school, I knew I wanted to attend college in an urban environment where I would have access to cultural experiences, prospective employers and people with different backgrounds and perspectives. I also wanted an education that would challenge me to think more deeply about my faith and values.
Marquette offered all of that. It felt familiar, but it also felt like a place that would expand my view of the world.
What did you study?
I graduated in May 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in Finance and Economics.
At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure where those degrees would lead me. I knew I was interested in business, and I knew I wanted to wear a suit and tie to work. Beyond that, I was still figuring things out.
Finance and Economics felt like the right combination because they gave me a strong foundation while leaving several career paths open. As it turns out, the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills I developed through both majors have served me throughout my career.
Which activities or experiences were most meaningful to you as a student?
Some of my favorite memories came from simply being part of campus life. I played on intramural sports teams, participated in Al’s Run each fall and was a basketball season ticket holder. I also took full advantage of Milwaukee’s music scene, making many walks from my dorm to The Rave and Eagles Ballroom for concerts.
Marquette also introduced me to people and experiences I never would have encountered otherwise. One of the most memorable was spending an evening bowling with 10 Tibetan monks in the Union Sports Annex.
That experience captures something special about Marquette. You arrive expecting to earn a degree, but your education becomes much bigger than your coursework. The people you meet and the unexpected experiences you have can broaden your perspective in ways you never anticipated.
Why did you choose Northwestern Mutual?
During my junior year, I was laser-focused on finding an internship that would strengthen my resume and help me begin figuring out my career.
At the time, the Marquette Tribune was one of my best resources for job postings. I would wake up early on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when hard copies were distributed around campus, because I wanted to be among the first students to see any new opportunities.
One morning, I found an advertisement for an unpaid internship at a “busy downtown insurance office.”
That office turned out to be Northwestern Mutual.
The internship eventually led to an entry-level position in the company’s compliance department. After about a year, I began looking for a new challenge that could position me for a secure future in business. I felt as though I had two choices: attend graduate school, which would be a costly but relatively low-risk option, or try my hand as a financial advisor, an uncertain “earn what you’re worth” career with no base salary.
I chose the less certain path, and I’m grateful I did. Staying in Milwaukee and continuing my career with Northwestern Mutual opened doors I could not have imagined as a college student. The opportunities to learn, grow and lead have felt limitless.
More than 20 years later, I can trace my career back to a classified ad I found in the student newspaper because I woke up early and wanted to be the first to see it.
What does it mean to give back to the next generation of industry leaders by teaching at Marquette?
As an undergraduate, I sometimes felt there was a language barrier between life on campus and the professional world. I could understand the concepts I was learning in class, but when I read job descriptions or sat through interviews, I didn’t always understand how professionals talked about their work or how businesses delivered value to their customers.
That’s one of the reasons I’m excited to teach. I have an opportunity to help close that gap by connecting the principles in the Fundamentals of Financial Planning curriculum with stories and context from my own professional experience.
One of the most impactful classes I took at Marquette was Intro to Public Speaking. It taught me how strong a communicator I could be when I was prepared, and how average, or worse, I could be when I wasn’t.
My early years as a financial advisor reinforced that lesson. When you know what you want to say and have prepared thoughtfully, you free up the mental space to focus on the people you are meeting with. You can listen more closely, respond with clarity and better understand how to add value.
Regardless of the career path students choose, the ability to communicate well will always create value. Strong communicators build trust, bring clarity to complicated ideas and help people move forward.
Marquette helped shape my career, my confidence and the way I communicate. Returning to the classroom gives me the chance to offer students some of the real-world context I was looking for when I was in their position. In many ways, it feels like completing a circle that began with my own walks across campus.
