jumping into the world of finance
If you heard Bill Bailey and Nash Bailey speak at Sacramento State, you already know: financial planning isn't just about numbers — it’s about helping real people live better lives.
Whether you want to explore this as a career, learn how to manage your own money smarter, or just see what opportunities exist, this page is here for you.
Pick a path below that fits your goals — and take your next step with confidence.
📚 Path 1: "I Have No Finance Background or Degree"
Start Point: Totally new — different career, new college graduate in unrelated field, or career changer.
- How They Break In:
- Start with entry-level certifications (example: Certified Fund Specialist, Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional)
- Take free/affordable classes (like Renaissance Society, local college CE courses)
- Apply for internships, office assistant jobs, or junior planning roles (even admin roles inside advisory firms)
- Work toward earning Series 65 license later if wanted
🖋️ Path 2: "I Have a College Degree in Finance / Related Field"
Start Point: Graduated with finance, business, economics degree — or close to it.
How They Break In:
- Directly eligible for Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) educational program
- Take and pass the Series 65 exam early
- Apply for financial planning internships, associate financial planner jobs, or client service roles at RIAs (Registered
- Investment Advisor firms)
- Start building a client base while working inside a firm
🖋️ Path 3: "I’m Already in a Financial Field (Banking, Accounting, Real Estate)"
Start Point: Some experience in finance-adjacent fields.
How They Break In:
- Leverage current experience — position yourself as familiar with financial products
- Get Series 65 license (if working at an RIA) or CFP® coursework
- Take specialized certifications based on your background (for example, CPAs can specialize in financial advising for tax clients)
- Apply for junior advisor roles, client support roles, or internal financial planning roles at firms
🖋️ Path 4: "I Want to Be an Entrepreneur and Open My Own Practice"
Start Point: Entrepreneurial spirit, willing to hustle and take risk.
How They Break In:
- Get Series 65 or Series 7 & 66 (depending on business model)
- Partner temporarily with another advisor or affiliate with an RIA platform
- Build certifications to earn credibility
- Focus heavily on networking, community involvement, and building a client base
internship opportunities
Looking to get real-world experience while you're still in school?
Here are some internship opportunities available right now in our local area:
1. Allworth Financial – Financial Planning Intern
Location: Folsom, CA (Hybrid Schedule Available)
Details: Paid, part-time internship ($20/hour). Assist CFP® professionals with asset management clients.
Schedule: Summer (May–August/September), ~25 hours/week
How to Apply: Apply on Allworth Careers Page
Contact: Use the career portal or HR contact listed after application.
2. Northwestern Mutual – College Financial Representative Internship
Location: Sacramento, CA
Details: Build your own client base under mentorship. Gain hands-on financial planning and client service skills.
Ideal For: Students who want entrepreneurial experience in finance.
How to Apply: Apply at Northwestern Mutual Sacramento Careers
Tip: Schedule an information session first to learn about expectations.
3. Pacific Coast Companies, Inc. – Financial Services Intern
Location: Rancho Cordova, CA
Details: Support financial reporting and vendor compliance analysis.
Ideal For: Students interested in corporate financial operations.
How to Apply: Search "Pacific Coast Companies Financial Services Intern" on Indeed or their Careers Page.
4. University Enterprises, Inc. – Student Assistant in Financial Management
Location: Sacramento, CA (Hybrid / Remote Options)
Details: Assist with financial management, cashiering, and reporting tasks.
Ideal For: Students wanting public sector or educational finance experience.
How to Apply: Apply through University Enterprises, Inc.
5. California Department of Finance – Summer Internship Program
Location: Sacramento, CA
Details: Paid 12–16 week internship assisting the Office of State Audits and Evaluations (OSAE).
Ideal For: Students interested in public finance, auditing, and analysis.
How to Apply: Apply via CalCareers Posting
6. UBS – Financial Services Intern
Location: Sacramento, CA
Details: Paid internship at $20/hour. Interns assist with business management, administration, and support tasks, gaining exposure to financial services operations.
How to Apply: Visit the UBS Careers Page and search for internship opportunities in Sacramento.
7. Cushman & Wakefield – Summer Intern, Commercial Brokerage 2025
Location: Sacramento, CA
Details: Paid internship at $20/hour. Interns gain knowledge of commercial industry terms, laws, and practices, supporting brokerage activities.
How to Apply: Apply through the Cushman & Wakefield Careers Page by searching for "Summer Intern - Commercial Brokerage 2025" in Sacramento.
8. State Street – Global Delivery AIS Summer Internship 2025
Location: Sacramento, CA
Details: Interns work on corporate actions, equities, fixed income, futures, options, swaps, and complex financial instruments, gaining hands-on experience in financial services.
How to Apply: Visit State Street Careers and search for "Global Delivery AIS Summer Internship 2025" in Sacramento.
9. City of West Sacramento – Summer STEPS Student Intern (Finance)
Location: West Sacramento, CA
Details: Paid internship at $18–$21/hour. Interns assist with finance and fiscal records, gaining experience in municipal finance operations.
How to Apply: Apply at City of West Sacramento Jobs
10. Siemens – Financial Analyst Internship (Summer 2025)
Location: Sacramento, CA
Details: Interns immerse themselves in customer service and financial analysis, gaining experience in financial planning and analysis within a global company.
How to Apply: Visit the Siemens Careers Page and search for "Financial Analyst Internship Summer 2025" in Sacramento.
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our advisers
Hunter W. "Bill" Bailey
Registered Advisory Associate, MSFS, CTS, CES, CFS, CIS, CAS
Bill is the founder of Wealth Strategies and has been providing financial services since 1980. He believes that the greatest value he can provide for his clients are honesty, integrity, and a strong commitment to his client's.
Nashoba R. Bailey, ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant)
Investment Advisory Associate, CTS, CES, CFS, CIS, CAS, Co-Author
Nash is the firm's newest advisor but has been investing since he was 12 years old. He has co-authored a book and teaches classes at local colleges. Nash loves to stay current on new policies and trends.