Connecticut Wealth Management (CTWM), a prominent investment adviser based in Farmington, has partnered with the School of Business to launch the school’s first-ever student wealth management cohort.

The program, which officially debuted on Thursday, Oct. 2, has already drawn interest from 110 students eager to learn more about becoming financial advisors. The wealth management field is growing rapidly and expected to bring double-digit job growth over the next decade.

“I’m not surprised that students are excited about this career. You can make a really good living while you’re genuinely helping people,’’ says CTWM President and CEO Kevin Leahy. “If you do a good job, you develop genuine friendships with clients and build long-term relationships.”

The cohort is open to all undergraduates. Leahy says he hopes to build momentum toward establishing a formal wealth-management minor at UConn.

“For some time, we’ve wanted to help create the next group of great wealth managers and thought, ‘Why not start training them in college?’ We can help them, and the industry, as well as many citizens of Connecticut,’’ he says. “We’re going to grow a superior team of wealth managers in Connecticut. There will always be a need to help people with financial issues, in times both good and bad.’’

‘I want to be someone people can trust’

Leahy attended the event with more than a dozen employees, including several UConn alumni. Many of them spoke about how fulfilling their careers are.

Forty students attended the kickoff event, and another 40 were on a waiting list due to space constraints. CTWM will also be holding additional information sessions in coming weeks for students who couldn’t attend the kickoff.

Olga Drobockyi ’28 (BUS), a sophomore studying finance, says the client-facing role appeals to her. “I know there is a need for more women in the industry. I have a mentor in wealth management, and she said clients call and ask specifically for women advisers,’’ she says. “I want to be someone people can trust with their financial goals.’’

Gage Wasilefsky ’28 (BUS), also a finance major, says he believes that wealth management would merge his interests in finance and his passion for working with people. An event manager and brand ambassador at for a marketing firm, he says that talking to clients boosts his energy. “I love talking to people. I can work 17 hours a day and not get tired,’’ he says. “I think this career would be a bridge between my interests. I’m very excited about it.’’

Interim Dean Greg Reilly told students that his own son is pursuing a career in wealth management. “Wealth management is a really exciting industry to pursue, and it has great growth potential,’’ he says. “It is resistant to being replaced by artificial intelligence because it involves soft skills like building relationships, building trust, and executing important decisions.’’

Company is committed to collaboration

Leahy says an ideal candidate for the cohort would be someone who likes working with people and who is inquisitive and a problem-solver. A future financial adviser should be comfortable with math, markets, and taxes, and knowledgeable about world events.

“I especially appreciate someone with emotional intelligence who understands what’s important to people,’’ Leahy says. “Most of our clients want to talk about their goals for retirement, their dream of buying a beach house, or hope to figure out a way to pay for college for their eight grandchildren. It’s very different from, say, investment banking.’’

CTWM has made a $75,000 commitment to the cohort over three years. The gift will support formal courses, technology training, mentorship and pre-employment preparation.

Labib Fasihuddin ’17 (BUS), is a senior financial advisor at CTWM, where he has worked for eight years. During that time, he has seen the company grow from 13 to 70 employees. He says he is excited about the cohort and would certainly have joined it during his college years.

“It is one more path for students who are interested in finance and helping people and this is a way for them to test it out,’’ he says.

Mentorship from top professionals

Professor Yiming Qian, head of the Finance Department, thanked CTWM for its passion for UConn students before turning to the audience and reinforcing the importance of financial advisers. “It’s a large and growing industry and wealth management will always be needed,’’ she says. “The job opportunities and prospects are very promising.’’

Kelly Kennedy, the School’s Director of Transformative Learning, who worked with CTWM to create the cohort, says students are looking for programs like this that prepare them to step seamlessly into the workplace.

“Our business students want to take their academic knowledge in finance and apply it in an industry that challenges them, values problem-solving, and allows them to make a meaningful impact. Being part of this cohort, through our incredible partnership with CTWM, gives them mentorship from top professionals and a bridge from the classroom to the world of wealth management. I’m thrilled about this opportunity.’’

So is senior Emma Fekete. A finance major, Fekete said before the session began that she was extremely interested in becoming a financial adviser but wasn’t sure how to enter the field. After listening to the speakers, including one who initially entered the field with little business knowledge, Fekete believes she has an advantage in her pursuit and is already thinking about preparing for the requisite certified financial planner certificate. “I’ve got my eye on that now,’’ she says.