Passion for planning rewarded
by
Rebecca Jenkins
To the uninitiated a career in financial planning might sound like a
numbers game but for UniSA student Matt Lockwood it’s all about people.
The third year applied finance student is looking forward to forging a career in the industry, where he can help people to navigate their way through the maze of superannuation and other investments.
“I have always worked with people. I love people, that’s what I do,” he said.
“Financial planning is just a way you can help people out.”
Lockwood, a 29-year-old mature student, recently won the AMP Financial Planning Scholarship, worth $5,000, to assist with his studies.
He decided to study at the University of South Australia after travelling extensively and working in a range of sectors including hospitality and tourism.
“If you had told me five years ago that I would go to university I would have laughed it off,” he said.
But motivated by his interest in financial planning, and a desire for personal development, he enrolled in UniSA’s Bachelor of Applied Finance, which is a three-year degree program.
He said he has found the course challenging, but rewarding.
“I had never studied before and never been to university,” Lockwood said.
“I thought that university would be a lot easier than it actually is – it’s definitely a challenge.”
Lockwood balances his full-time study load with a part-time job in finance.
He said the $5,000 scholarship would be a great help with fees, equipment and for further professional development.
The New South Wales native was also looking forward to putting his skills and training to good use in South Australia.
“I think there are lots of opportunities in SA,” he said.
“I have already got a job here and there is definitely a career path for me here in SA.
“There’s always opportunities there if you look for them.”
The scholarship was set up to support students interested in pursuing a career in financial planning. It is offered to a full-time third year Bachelor of Applied Finance or Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Applied Finance double degree student.
The selection panel considers a range of criteria including the applicant’s academic merit, communication skills and their understanding of financial planning principles.