Baggette + Co Wealth Management has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing future talent by providing valuable hands-on experience to students exploring careers in financial planning.
George Christopher, a student from Poole High School, recently completed a nine-week placement at the financial planning firm, offering him first-hand insight into wealth management industry careers.
As his placement concludes, George reflects on his experience and how it has shaped his understanding of financial services.
Exploring Wealth Management First-Hand
George first became interested in a career in finance after attending a sustainability talk by Baggette + Co’s Oscar Hjalmas at his school. Inspired to explore financial services further, George sought an opportunity to gain real-world experience.
“I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in finance, but Oscar’s talk encouraged me to take it more seriously. After finishing my GCSEs, I wanted hands-on experience, and this placement provided the perfect opportunity,” said George.
During his time at Baggette + Co., George gained valuable insights into the inner workings of wealth management beyond what he had studied in school.
“At school, we covered financial advisers and investments at a high level, but this on-site placement has allowed me to see how the business operates behind the scenes. I learned about the importance of client administration, paraplanning, and their essential roles in making everything run smoothly,” he explained.
One of the standout moments of George’s placement was attending investment committee meetings, where he observed real-time decision-making processes that would directly impact clients.
“Sitting in on investment committee meetings was a real highlight for me. Seeing how professionals analyse investments and interact with different businesses was fascinating. One moment that stood out was watching my former teacher in a professional setting—it was so different from the classroom environment and showed me how the financial world operates in practice,” he shared.
A Fresh Perspective on Financial Services
George admitted that his expectations of working in financial services changed significantly throughout his placement.
“I expected the financial services industry to be very rigid and formal, but I was surprised by the balance between professionalism and a friendly, collaborative atmosphere. It’s clear that you can enjoy your work while still delivering a high standard of financial advice,” he said.
One of the biggest surprises for George was the depth of support roles within the firm.
“I always thought financial advisers did everything, from meeting clients to handling all the research and admin. Now I realise how vital paraplanners and the client services team are in supporting financial advisers. The collaboration behind the scenes is something I hadn’t appreciated before, and it’s very much a team-based approach to looking after clients.”
Encouraging Young People to Explore Careers in Finance
As he looks ahead to his future career, George encourages other students to seize work experience opportunities in the financial sector.
“My biggest advice to other students would be to just go for it. At first, you might feel nervous or unsure of what to expect, but you don’t need to know everything from day one. Even small tasks, like handling post, gave me an appreciation for how complex and interconnected the industry is. My knowledge and confidence have grown massively in just nine weeks.”
He also believes companies should offer more short-term placements and apprenticeship routes to help young people gain early exposure to the industry.
“Work placements don’t have to be long—even a couple of weeks can make a huge difference. More companies should consider offering structured apprenticeships so young people can gain experience and develop their skills while progressing in one firm,” he suggested.
Summing up his time at Baggette + Co, George said:
“It’s been a fantastic learning and development opportunity that has given me a real insight into a career in financial services.”
Investing in the Next Generation
Baggette + Co Wealth Management remains committed to supporting young professionals and providing meaningful experiences for students interested in careers in financial planning and wealth management.
Jo Hjalmas, Managing Director at Baggette + Co, commented:
“We were delighted to have George with us for the past nine weeks, and it’s been fantastic to see his enthusiasm and curiosity grow throughout his time here.
“At Baggette + Co, we believe in nurturing young talent and providing hands-on experiences that help shape future careers. George has been a brilliant addition to the team, and he has a wonderfully rewarding career in financial planning ahead of him.”
In addition to supporting local schools throughout Dorset, Baggette + Co has worked with Poole & Bournemouth College and Bournemouth University, offering placements and mentorship to young people—a commitment the firm intends to continue for years to come.
Jo continued:
“I’m so proud of our recruitment programme supporting young people and the wider education sector. As a business, I see it as our duty and responsibility to support young people—not only to enhance their financial know-how in day-to-day life but also to showcase the incredibly rewarding careers that can be developed within financial services. We’re committed to continuing to support more young people in the future across Dorset, Hampshire, and further afield.”