In this episode:
00:00 – 07:54: Intro and What They’ve Learned
07:55 – 16:48: Finance and Career Advice Q&A with Jim
16:49 – 23:06: The Intern’s Perspectives on the Future of Work and AI
23:07 – 25:29: How to Get Your First Job
25:30 – 26:47: The Importance of Mentorship
26:48 – 30:45: Final Takeaways and Advice for College Students
In this episode, CEO Jim Popp turns the tables and hands the mic to three of Johnson Financial Group's summer interns, Joey Flaherty, Will Cardwell and Alyssa Ray, who just wrapped eight weeks rotating across wealth, treasury and operations. Together they discuss the gap between what college teaches and what you actually need to know about money, why the best mentors are the ones you stumble into naturally and how human connection stays a competitive advantage in an AI-powered world. Jim also opens up about the career and financial advice he wishes he'd had in his twenties.
5 Key Takeaways
1. AI changes the work, not the need for people
AI will soak up the repetitive, data-entry stuff a bit. But it's also creating roles that don't even exist yet and making every remaining job count for more. The human stuff? Reading, writing, speaking, building relationships? That's not going anywhere.
2. A financial plan matters at any dollar amount
Financial planning isn't really about how much you have. It's about being intentional with your income and your goals, then working toward them step by step. As Jim puts it, "It doesn't matter if you have $10,000 or $10 million — having a [financial] plan [helps you] move to what you want next."
3. The best mentors are the ones you find naturally
The strongest relationships form when you show up, ask questions and connect with people. The people who take an interest in you and help steer your career? You meet them by simply being there.
4. College builds the foundation; the job fills the gaps
College does a great job with the big-picture stuff like markets, economics and current events. But the personal finance layer, like how a Roth conversion actually works? That usually gets filled in on the job. The internship is where classroom theory turns into real, hands-on learning.
5. Show up, be curious and raise your hand
Jim's career advice is simple: Show up, raise your hand for the work no one else wants and never hesitate to approach seasoned professionals for help. You never know what putting yourself out there will do for your career and the connections you make along the way.
A strong start to your career and your finances is built on showing up, being intentional with your money and revisiting the plan as your goals change. If this episode got you thinking about your own next step, whether you're just starting out, looking for a mentor or wondering if your current financial plan still makes sense, take the next step and connect with an advisor today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with a plan, not a dollar amount. The most useful money advice for college students is to be intentional about where your income goes and what you want it to do. As Jim Popp says, "It doesn't matter if you have $10,000 or $10 million — having a [financial] plan [helps you] move to what you want next."
Yes. A financial plan is about direction, not size. Setting goals and working toward them step by step builds the habit long before the balance gets big. Waiting until you feel wealthy enough to plan usually means losing years of progress you can't get back.
College covers markets, economics and current events well. What often gets skipped is the personal layer like how a Roth conversion actually works, how to read a benefits package and how to structure savings around real goals. Most graduates learn that part on the job or from an advisor.
Name your goals before you name your spending. Decide what the money is for, whether that's an emergency fund, student loans or retirement contributions, then build the budget around those goals. Revisit it as your income and priorities shift because the plan should change when your life does.
Earlier than most people think. You don't need significant assets to benefit from a conversation. Meeting with an advisor while you're starting out helps you set a plan, ask questions about topics college skipped and build a relationship that grows with your career.
Be intentional, start early and revisit the plan. Small, consistent decisions in your twenties compound into meaningful outcomes later. The regret is rarely about the amount saved. It's about the years spent without a clear plan.
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