CampbellTrust and Wealth Management graduates thrive even in today’s economy
The realities of the downturn in the economy have hit home nationwide and are undeniable. Also undeniable is the fact that many sectors of economy have not been crippled or are in recovery mode. According to Jimmy Witherspoon, director of the Trust and Wealth Management Program for Campbell’s Lundy-Fetterman School of Business, trust graduates are still in tremendous demand in spite of the very real problems the country and millions of people are facing.
“The graduating class of 2010 has been practically unaffected by the economic conditions,” Witherspoon said. A total of 53 students graduated in May, and, as of the first of July, 47 have already been placed. The remaining six graduates should be placed soon.”
Over two-thirds of the graduates were hired by Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase or by Wells Fargo. Others were hired by smaller institutions or have chosen to pursue law degrees at Campbell, Wake Forest, Dukeand other major institutions. Graduates were placed nationwide in cities including New York, Boston, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Beverly Hills, Charlotte and Winston-Salem.
“The reason for our success in placement is the unique education our students receive at Campbell,” said Witherspoon. “Campbell University offers the only degree program nationwide in Trust and Wealth Management. The skill set our graduates bring to the job is in tremendous demand.”
Campbell’s trust graduates are recognized for having hands-on training; people skills, and technical expertise in the areas of fiduciary law, tax planning, financial planning, investment management and estate planning. Many have already become leaders in the financial services industry. For that reason, institutions including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, First Citizens, PNC, and J.P. Morgan Chase compete for Campbell students, Witherspoon added.
In addition, practically all trust majors at Campbell have the opportunity to complete one or more paying summer internships. These internships are in cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Tampa, and Beverly Hills. Most will also complete the intensive 3/2 Program receiving both a BBA and an MBA upon graduation.
“With the trust degree, the MBA and having completed two paid summer internships our graduates are productive on day one,” Witherspoon said.
The Trust Program has also been successful in developing internship and permanent hire opportunities as a result of the tireless efforts of the members of the board of directors of the Trust Education Foundation, Inc. The board is composed of senior managers of the nation’s premiere financial institutions. The Foundation sponsors the Trust Advisors Forum at Pinehurst and the Southeastern Trust School. In addition, several of the Foundation members offer in-house training to institutions nationwide.
“The result is a placement rate of nearly 90% within one month of graduation and the funding of numerous trust scholarships (with over 60 students receiving trust scholarships in 2010 alone) over the last 40 years” said Witherspoon.
Photo Copy: Campbell trust students visit New York’s Time’s Square. First row, from left, Kraig Jackson, Emery Ashley, Aaron Sullivan, Kata Scro, Jordan Narron, Sloan Smith, Whitney Barbour, Callie Guthrie, Ashley Hicks and Caroline Hammersley. Second row, from left, Kyle Mahle, Russ Lockamy, Cameron Elliott, Austin Warner, James Shaw, Dixon Nance and Mary Hedges.