Michelle Walker, a Bachelor of Business student from La Trobe University in Victoria, has won the inaugural AMP University Challenge.
The AMP University Challenge is an Australian-first financial planning competition, giving students from Australian universities the opportunity to find out first-hand what being a financial planner is all about. Created by AMP and supported by the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and Financial Planning Academic Forum (1), the competition aims to enhance financial planning professional standards by increasing awareness of the profession amongst universities and students.
“Taking part in the AMP University Challenge and meeting industry experts and other students has been a really rewarding experience. I’ve learnt a lot about how the industry works and the options available to me as I pursue a career as a financial planner,” said Ms Walker.
First prize was a $5,000 AMP Bank account, FPA student membership and professional development opportunities. The winner’s university also received a $10,000 grant to put towards financial planning programs.
Zita White from Griffith University (Queensland) and a team of students from La Trobe University (Victoria) won second and third prizes respectively, which were $2,500 and $1,000 AMP Bank accounts along with free FPA membership for a year.
AMP Financial Services Managing Director Craig Meller congratulated Ms Walker on her win. “The student response to the AMP University Challenge has exceeded our expectations. They have really embraced this unique opportunity to find out first-hand what it’s like to be a financial planner,” Mr Meller said.
“We’re excited to announce that we will be continuing the AMP University Challenge next year. Our finalists today have set the benchmark high for next year and beyond.
“By bringing our industry and universities together, we have attracted the calibre of individuals we’d like to see joining the financial planning profession in the future – educated and motivated young professionals looking for a rewarding career that makes a difference in people’s lives,” Mr Meller added.
A total of 42 students in 24 teams across Australia submitted entries into the competition, including students from all the Australian mainland states. Of these students, 78 per cent are in a financerelated degree or double degree. A further 17 per cent are completing a financial planning degree, double degree or major. The University of Melbourne had the most entrants, claiming 40 per cent of submissions, followed by 17 per cent from La Trobe University and 14 per cent from Griffith University.
(1) The Financial Planning Academic Forum is a recently formed group of academics working towards furthering universities’ participation in the financial planning profession.
