Student Spotlight: JOY

Joy is a rising Sophomore at Drexel University studying Finance and Economics. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, she participated in FGI during her time as a student at Central High School. Throughout the program, Joy had the opportunity to learn about personal finance and budgeting for students, a lesson she has carried forward into her collegiate life. Today, Joy works as the marketing manager for a startup application called Finiverse, an online tool utilizing tuition and financial aid data to empower students and inform their decisions about various college options. (https://www.finiverse.org/). She works to spread awareness about access and affordability of school for all students. Joy also plans to close the loop by re-joining FGI as a tutor this fall.

​​Tell me a little bit about yourself
My name is Joy, and I am a rising sophomore at Drexel University, dual majoring in Finance and Economics. I'm from Philadelphia, and I'm actively involved with various business clubs at my university. This semester, I'm excited to travel to Madrid, Spain, for an International Consulting Residency. Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy outdoor activities such as traveling and hiking. I especially love spending time with my dog, who keeps me active and entertained.

How did you discover FGI?
I discovered FGI through a flier posted by my high school, Central High School, for the FGI Penn chapter. They were offering a semester-long program in financial literacy on the weekends, which caught my interest.

What was your favorite part of FGI?
My favorite part of FGI was creating my own stock profile after learning about the volatility of stocks and the importance of diversifying my portfolio. I was able to apply what I learned to invest in actual stocks using the $100 stipend granted by FGI.

What was your biggest discovery or learning as part of FGI?
My biggest discovery was understanding how personal and college finances work. Financial literacy isn't included in the Philadelphia public school curriculum, so I wasn't exposed to this information earlier on. Fortunately, FGI gave me the opportunity to learn about it before starting college.

How did the program change the way that you had traditionally thought about finance and investing?  How did it change your habits?
The program fundamentally changed the way I traditionally thought about finance and investing. Before FGI, I saw finance and investing as complex and somewhat intimidating fields. However, the program broke down these concepts into manageable lessons, making them more accessible and understandable. It taught me the importance of budgeting, saving, and diversifying investments. As a result, I developed better financial habits, such as regularly tracking my expenses, setting savings goals, and being more strategic about my investments. These new habits have given me greater confidence in managing my personal finances and planning for the future, enough so for me to return as a FGI tutor!

FGI is an organization supported by donors and almost all volunteers.  What message would you send to those who have supported, or are considering supporting a program like this? 
To those who have supported or are considering supporting a program like FGI, I want to express my deepest gratitude. Your contributions have made a significant impact on students like me, providing a valuable financial education and opportunities that we might not otherwise have access to. I hope you continue to invest in programs like FGI to help more students achieve financial literacy and success. Thank you for believing in and contributing to our growth and education.

What are your future plans, goals, or dreams?
My future plans involve landing an internship in investment banking or private equity during college, with the goal of pursuing a full-time position in one of these fields after graduation. I am also considering furthering my education by obtaining an MBA in the future. Ultimately the end goal is to raise enough funds to travel the world and hopefully retire early!

What else would you like to share? 
For future and current FGI students, my advice is to fully engage with every aspect of the program. Take advantage of the learning opportunities, ask questions, and apply what you learn to real-life scenarios. Don’t hesitate to seek out additional resources or guidance from mentors and peers. Building a solid foundation in financial literacy early on will benefit you greatly, both academically and in your future career.