Summer Internship 2026 -
Vance Wealth
Reflecting on my internship at Vance Wealth, I enter my final semester at Biola University with immense gratitude and a deeply expanded perspective on the financial planning industry. Joining the firm as an Operations Intern gave me the unique opportunity to look under the hood of a modern wealth management practice and understand how high-level advice is supported by efficient, scalable systems.
My primary focus was mastering the core platforms and workflows that keep the firm running smoothly. By immersing myself in our planning and data-management software systems, I became a subject matter expert in key tools, which empowered me to make meaningful system updates and lead a firm-wide technology training. Alongside tech optimization, I looked for proactive ways to add value, such as pioneering AI utilization across the team, streamlining our revenue audit process, and building a client onboarding progress tracker dashboard to improve internal visibility and client experience.
Taking initiative extended beyond traditional operations. Seeing an opportunity in our new media room, I taught myself how to film, record, and edit videos and podcasts. Managing the media room allowed me to bridge the gap between back-office efficiency and outward-facing brand storytelling, reinforcing how important clear communication is in financial services.
While my goal remains stepping onto the advisor track to earn my CFP and work directly with clients, this operational foundation has been invaluable. I learned that world-class client service is only as strong as the systems supporting it. Understanding how a firm operates behind the scenes makes me a far more capable future advisor.
I am thrilled to continue working with Vance Wealth part time during my senior fall and to transition into a full-time role after graduation. The trust, mentorship, and autonomy I experienced this summer solidified both my career trajectory and my desire to build a long-term future with this team.
