Josephine Bong, a second-year UNSW student studying Commerce (Accounting) and Economics, was quietly questioning her career path. Most of her classmates were chasing graduate roles in investment banking or corporate finance, but she was drawn to something different. Wealth Management.
She’d heard it’s an industry that blends financial acumen with human connection. One where you don’t just crunch numbers; you help people shape their futures.
Still, she was unsure where to start. She’d never met a wealth adviser, didn't really know what the role involved, and didn’t have anyone to ask.
She then discovered Career Connect, an online flash mentoring platform. She registered for the Investment Advice stream and was soon matched with Christy Kwong, Senior Associate at E&P Financial Group, who had volunteered as a mentor.
They scheduled a one-off, 45-minute virtual chat. In that short conversation, Josephine got a real look inside the profession - what advisers actually do, what skills matter, how the work evolves over time, and why the industry is so rewarding. Christy shared her story, offered advice, and answered the questions Josephine didn’t even know she had.
And something shifted.
Josephine logged off feeling inspired - she could actually see herself in this career. And the effect was mutual: Christy felt energised, reflecting on her own path and thrilled to open doors for someone who could one day be a colleague.
That’s the power of Career Connect: one conversation can change everything.
Why this matters now more than ever
Australia is on the brink of the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history. Over the next two decades, trillions of dollars will pass down the line and around 65% of that wealth will go to women.
This shift is already reshaping the private wealth landscape. According to JBWere’s Growth of Women and Wealth report, female high-net-worth clients increasingly prefer their advice team to include a woman. They want an adviser who reflects them and understands their unique goals and priorities.
Yet, women remain significantly underrepresented in investment advice roles.
If the industry wants to meet the needs of tomorrow’s clients, they need to start building the talent pipeline today. That means showing women and diverse talent that advice is a career where they can thrive. And that process can start with something as simple as a single, one-on-one conversation.
Career Connect: Mentoring made easy
Career Connect is a flash mentoring platform that connects university students and early-career professionals with experienced investors and advisers for 45-minute virtual conversations.
The concept is simple but powerful.
- Low barrier. High impact.
- Just one conversation that could shift a perspective - or spark a career.
- No long-term commitment or structured mentoring program - unless you want that. It's mentoring on your terms.
Real Conversations. Real Impact.
We have over 100 students and early-career professionals on the platform (and more joining every day) eager to connect with people working in the fields they aspire to enter. It’s a far more personal and effective way to explore the industry than a cold LinkedIn message ever could be.
Now, the call is out for more mentors to join us and help inspire and guide the next generation. Creating a mentor profile takes just 5-10 minutes. Here’s why it’s worth your while:
- Inspire the next generation: Share your story and help someone see themselves in a career they hadn’t considered.
- Meet emerging talent: Connect with bright, motivated students and early-career professionals who could be your future colleagues - or your next hire.
- Build a more diverse pipeline: Career Connect is open to all aspiring investors, with a focus on women and diverse talent. You can actively choose to mentor women, or people from lower socio-economic backgrounds to support talent currently underrepresented in the industry.
- Give back, without the time burden: It’s just one conversation, not a long-term program. A simple way to raise your profile while elevating the industry.
- On your terms: You’re in control. Accept, decline, or extend a connection and schedule meetings at times that work for you.
- Reflect and reconnect: Mentoring is a two-way street. You’ll gain fresh perspectives, hone your communication skills, and be reminded of what drew you to this career in the first place.
If you’re passionate about investment advice and want to help more people discover the rewards of this career, join Career Connect today. You could be the person that opens that door.
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