Ally Becker
- Financial Analyst
- Goldman Sachs
School Information
School: Iowa State University
College Major: Business
Years at College Works: 2018-2020
Career Information
Working For: Goldman Sachs
Title: Financial Analyst
Industry: Finance
Brief Description of Duties / Responsibilities:
Track 100% of client interactions including requests, inbound/outbound calls and emails via the Activity section of our official books & records (SalesForce). Actively prepare for and participate in client meetings as requested by the MD, WM or WA. Prepare all deliverable materials associated with the meeting type (reviews, 1st/2nd/3rd meetings). Demonstrate the ability to escalate potential client issues to Managing Director or Wealth Adviser as appropriate. Actively document all notes and action items during client meetings and ensure all commitments made by the Managing Director or Wealth Adviser are being completed in a timely manner. Copy MD, WM or WA on all outgoing customer correspondence. Deliver Money Mind surveys to clients via SalesForce as directed/requested. Review task assignments for each client and work directly with team members to ensure all follow-up and action items as a result of client meetings are documented in Salesforce and completed within the specified time frame. Under the direct oversight of the Managing Director or Wealth Adviser, actively engage in Client Case Prep meetings, providing recommendations and feedback relative to the client’s financial plan as appropriate. Responsible for reviewing statements, forecasting review data, developing a meeting agenda format, creating presentations, case documentation and deliverables for all assigned clients. Manage developing and maintaining suitability documentation utilizing client file standards. Act as the primary point of contact for all (operations/account maintenance related) client interactions, working with team members to ensure a timely response to all client question s and concerns. Establish and maintain positive relationships with existing firm clients to ensure client satisfaction. Provide thoughts and feedback relative to operational procedures for servicing clients including making recommendations for increased efficiency within the current process
What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?Post College Works Painting, I had the opportunity to be the captain of the dance team at Iowa State University. I lead my team to second in the nation at nationals (in the Pom Division 1A Category) in 2021. While being a full-time athlete, I also was working full-time with a start-up company in Des Moines, IA and I was a full-time Master’s Program student obtaining my Master’s in Human & Health Sciences, Family Financial Planning. It is incredible at what you can do with your time if you prioritize it correctly and be present in the moment.
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
If College Works Painting was not just an internship or concept and it was a person, it is everything that I would envision myself to be and strive to be.
How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?
My College Works Painting experience shaped me to be the person I am and the values that I believe in. It taught me to be a better person to everyone, work harder but more importantly work smarter, appreciate the small wins but celebrate the big wins, and most importantly to go knock on one more door”. The extra 1% add to your current work/current situation will expedite your goals. For example, following up with a client promptly can make them trust you and add $5,000 of an add-on to the current paint job that you are producing and increase your business. By creating a network within College Works Painting and keeping in touch with contacts even years after the internship, it provided me with the opportunity to connect and receive an interview at one of the most prestigious names in the financial industry right out of college.
What do you want to tell your clients about what it meant to work with them and how it has helped you get to where you are today?
I do not have any names specifically, but in general I would say to my clients, thank you for believing in me. The simple paint job that probably meant just another expense to you meant the world to me. The summer of being in your backyard, the Sherwin Williams store, repeat, is a speck of my life, but because you trusted me to do 2k, 5k 10k, even $15,000 jobs, I now am able to run with my future and handle clients financial portfolios in the millions. The lessons I instilled from College Works Painting and painting your house, means far more than you will ever understand. Thank you.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
The saying, “It is who you know, not what you know” that will be a very valuable phrase to live by. Introduce yourself to everyone. Be polite to everyone. Also, remember that technical skills and knowledge can always be taught (relatively easily). Who you are and how hard working you are will always be appreciated above technical skills. Be the hardest working person in the room.
How have the friendships and networks you built during CW affected you?
The friendships and networks built have been incredible to me. Still to this day one of my favorite vacations was visiting friends in NYC and LA (two places I had never been) but was able to be seen in college because of the friendships I made with other interns across the country and my district manager. The network I created with upper-level executives on College Works Painting allowed me to have connections that I would never have been able to establish without them.
If you had to come up with a one line slogan for CW, what would it be?
If you work hard, the hardest you have ever worked for six months, you will set up for the brightest future.
Advice
What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?
Potential College Works Painting Participants: Take the leap of faith regardless of what your family and friends think. If you are the type of person that wants to be successful in your future, take an opportunity that will better your future. Current College Works Painting Participants: Go knock on one more door. The extra 1% you can add to anything you are doing whether it be personal or be in business, (ex. go market for 10 more minutes, do a follow-up call, send a thank you card, make your bed, go to gym), you will see your personal growth and business growth expedite.
Many college students struggle to choose between an internship specific to their target industry or doing CW. What advice would you give them on this subject if they wanted to enter your career field?
In college do you truly know exactly what you want to do? What industry you want to be in? What specific job title you truly want? I know that I thought I had an idea and then realized I had literally no idea. College Works Painting not only allows you to build your resume but build yourself and find the qualities that will help navigate you towards your correct profession. You have to look past the painting aspect, to truly understanding the fundamentals of College Works Painting are what every business in the world are looking for. Technical skills in a profession can be taught. College Works Painting teaches the fundamentals of how to be successful in any setting.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
Passing licensing exams is an important start to this career. You do not have to be affiliated with a financial company to study and pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam. Taking initiative on your own to pass this test shows that you are committed to working hard and being above your competitors who are also applying for the role. As well, this test goes over basic concepts that are important to understand in the financial industry. These concepts can also be used in interviews to prove your vocabulary and knowledge of the financial industry.
What’s your favorite memory from CW?
My favorite memory was that when I was in Cancun I had the opportunity to have a roommate from the New York division. We stayed in communication and that winter, I had won a multi-city flight through my VP. I called up my roommate from New York and asked what she was doing for New Years. She graciously allowed me to come visit her and spend New Years Eve in NYC. I then had a connecting flight to LAX to see my district manager (who had moved to the Hollywood Hills) and spend time in LA before meetings in Orange County, CA. It was the cheapest experience with free flights and free places to stay, while being the coolest thing for a 19 year old from Iowa to go NYC to LAX during New Years. I still am in touch with those individuals today and that was back in 2018.
Last words of wisdom?
If at the end of the day you are making a positive impact on yourself and those around you for the better, you are doing something right. College Works Painting does that everyday. Learn the best from them while you have the chance. Then go make a bright impact for yourself.