Meet Our Fall Semester Kutztown University Intern: Abigail Smith

Benjamin Haas |

Hi, I'm Abby and I grew up in a small town called Lititz in Lancaster County, PA. Lititz is a beautiful town just an hour down the road from Kutztown, which I am sure many are familiar with. I moved to Kutztown in 2021 which was my freshman year at Kutztown University. I chose Kutztown because it reminded me of Lititz with the quaint small-town feel and stunning downtown shops which are two of my favorite parts of Lititz. I have come to realize they both have their different quirks, but both towns have the warm friendly feel that makes me feel at home.

I applied to Kutztown as an accounting major but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. Throughout my childhood, I loved math and working with numbers. Therefore, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in mathematics, I just was not sure exactly what I wanted to do with my math skills. I knew I wanted to make a difference and work with people, but I noticed most careers in math did not involve many interactions with others. I considered being a math teacher, but I decided against the teaching route. I thought about majoring in psychology or social work because I felt I could make an impact through those careers, but I was committed to putting my strong math skills to good use. Nothing checked all the boxes until I found out about financial services.

Once I had decided accounting was not for me, I switched to the finance major since I knew they were similar but different. For my finance track at Kutztown, I had to take a financial planning course where my professor, Dr. Kramer, introduced the class to the major he started at Kutztown in Financial Planning. I knew little about the field before that class, but one week into it, I added financial planning as a second major. By the end of that class, I was confident this career was the perfect fit for me. Financial services combines my love for math with my passion for helping others.

Thanks to Dr. Kramer I have a clear direction of my plans for my future. Once I graduate next May, I plan to obtain my CFPÒ and become a financial advisor. The financial planning program at Kutztown gets me the credits I need to sit for the CFPÒ exam once I am ready after graduation which I am extremely grateful for. This program started by Dr. Kramer is an amazing opportunity for students seeking a job in this field. In addition to my classes, I am involved in the finance, AIM, and entrepreneurship clubs, and I am the president of the financial planning club at school.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends and family. My mom and dad have been my biggest supporters on my educational journey. Also, I have a younger sister who I enjoy shopping, working out with, and more. In addition, I have made many great friends at Kutztown, and I enjoy staying in contact with my hometown friends on FaceTime. I love spending time outdoors by going on hikes or just walking through town with friends. Last but not least, I have two cats at home that I rescued, and I love them so much.

 

Skills That Most People Don’t Know About

  • I really enjoy fashion and shopping as well as interior decorating. I had so much fun decorating my apartment at school!

 

One Thing Most People Would Not Know About Me:

  • I ran cross country in high school, and I was not good at it as much as I wanted to be.

 

A Great Quote To Live By:

  • "The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday" – Matty Mullins. My dad would tell me this as a kid and it is something I will always live by. I am always looking to better myself, and I believe comparison is the thief of joy.

 

Investment advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Great Valley Advisor Group and Haas Financial Group are separate entities. This is not intended to be used as tax or legal advice. Please consult a tax or legal professional for specific information and advice. 

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