College Students Find Leadership Opportunities with Northwestern Mutual Internship Experience
Today's college students are team players, optimistic, confident and generally achievement-oriented in everything they undertake. It is no surprise, that even when test driving a career with an internship experience, they are interested in leadership opportunities. At Northwestern Mutual's Chicago-based McTigue Financial Group, students participating in one of "America's Top Ten Internships" (according to Vault Guide to Internships, 2011 edition) quickly see that innate leadership is necessary to be successful. "Before College Financial Representatives even get started, they take the initiative to start building their network by meeting new professionals, establishing relationships and getting their name out there,” explains Theresa Taylor, Director of Internship Development.
“Throughout the interview process we are assessing whether or not we feel that the candidate has what it takes to be a leader, to not only their peers but most importantly to themselves,” explains Taylor. “As college representatives grow their practice we encourage them to explore leadership opportunities such as the Team Captain role,” she says. “The role of Team Captain (TC) provides the student with an opportunity to learn leadership skills, build confidence and spend increased time with the senior management team.”
Opportunities for Development in Action
For Michael Stahl, who began the internship in his sophomore year at Loyola University, the Team Captain role was a stepping stone for future leadership opportunities. Upon graduation in 2010 he was offered a full-time contract as a Northwestern Mutual Financial Representative and advanced the leadership ladder to a College Unit Captain and most recently to College Unit Director (CUD). As a CUD he is responsible for recruiting, selecting and mentoring students while maintaining a successful financial practice.
"Leadership is an opportunity like no other at Northwestern Mutual – it helps you have a greater impact on the lives of others while enhancing your personal productivity," notes Mike. “You also receive feedback at each stage of your development enabling you to assess your leadership skills and aptitude" notes Kevin Davey, a CUD in the Oak Brook office, and 2009 graduate of Elmhurst College.
“This internship opportunity is phenomenal for those that have the leadership gene in them, because it's about being an entrepreneur while at the same time having the support of a FORTUNE 200 Company to guide you," adds Bryce Simon, a CUD in the O'Hare office and a 2009 graduate of Purdue University.
Northwestern Mutual's McTigue Financial Group is Actively Recruiting
This year, The McTigue Financial Group is recruiting 50 students for the year-round internship opportunity. The rolling start to the internship means that recruiting efforts are year-round. Students participating in the internship work from one of four locations, including: 2015 Spring Rd in Oak Brook, 650 Dundee Rd in Northbrook 8600 W. Bryn Mawr near O'Hare or One N. Wacker in Downtown Chicago. The internship is a year-round opportunity with students working full time during the summer and part-time during the school year.
One in three interns converts to a full-time position with Northwestern Mutual after graduation. Forty-five percent of the company's field leaders – managing partners and managing directors – are former interns.
About The McTigue Financial Group
The network office currently headed by John McTigue opened for business in 1872. The McTigue Financial Group is a network office of the Northwestern Mutual, providing expert guidance in life insurance, investment products and services, retirement and estate planning, education funding and employee benefits. The offices are located at One North Wacker Drive in Chicago, 2015 Spring Road in Oak Brook, 3400 Dundee in Northbrook, and 8600 W. Bryn Mawr in Chicago. To learn more visit www.mctiguefinancial.com.
About Northwestern Mutual
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company – Milwaukee, WI (Northwestern Mutual) – among the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2012 according to FORTUNE® magazine – has helped clients achieve financial security for more than 155 years. As a mutual company with $1.2 trillion of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual has no shareholders. The company focuses solely and directly on its clients and seeks to deliver consistent and dependable value to them over time. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a holistic approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability insurance, annuities, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, limited purpose federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company; and Russell Investments. Further information can be found at http://www.northwesternmutual.com.