At Berry & Oak, we’re passionate about giving young people the opportunity to explore careers in financial planning. Work experience placements are a great way to understand what the profession really involves, from the technical detail to the client conversations, and to see how rewarding it can be to help people achieve their goals.

Recently, Rachel joined us for a few days’ work experience after finishing university. Here’s what she had to say about her time with us:

“After finishing university, I joined Berry & Oak for a few days of work experience to see if financial planning was something I could see myself doing long term. I didn’t have much hands-on knowledge before I started, so I was keen to get stuck in and learn more about what the job involves day-to-day.

From the very first day, it became clear just how much goes on behind the scenes. I spent time with the paraplanning team and saw how much detail and thought goes into building financial plans for clients. I also learned about pension crystallisation, which was completely new to me, but really interesting. I realised quite quickly that it’s not just the advisers who make a difference- the technical team plays a massive role in making sure everything runs smoothly.

I got to sit in on a couple of client meetings too, which really brought everything to life. Each client had very different needs and situations, and it was eye-opening to see how tailored the advice had to be. It wasn’t just about money- it was about helping people make big life decisions that suited their personal goals and values.

The whole team were brilliant really welcoming, happy to answer all my questions, and generous with their time. I also learned about the qualification route into the profession, starting with the Diploma and working towards Chartered status. That gave me a much clearer idea of how I could get started and build a career in financial planning.

I came to Berry & Oak unsure if this was the right path for me, and I’m leaving confident that it is. I’ve found that I’m especially interested in the paraplanning side to begin with, and now I’m looking forward to working towards my qualifications and getting started in the industry. Big thank you to everyone at Berry & Oak for such a supportive and genuinely enjoyable experience”

At Berry & Oak, we’re committed to supporting the next generation of financial planners through education, mentoring, and real-world experience. Rachael’s journey is a fantastic example of how valuable work experience can be in opening doors and giving young people the confidence to pursue a career in this rewarding profession.

If you’d like to find out more about opportunities at #Berry&Oak or our financial education initiatives, please get in touch we’d love to hear from you.