Financial Literacy Impacting Professional Outcomes As Students Transition To Careers

When discussing student learning models, ownership and agency are lead issues in education circles. Yet, when it comes to financial literacy and the essential elements of taking ownership of finances, many students are asked to find out independently.

A recent Newsweek article highlights research conducted by the Centre for Social Justice in the U.K. on the essential money habits and skills formed between the ages of 3 and 7. Only 38% of kids and youth in the U.K. receive any type of financial education in school. The research backs Milken Institute findings that reveal a lack of basic financial knowledge and skills in high school students in the U.S.

Without financial literacy at the fingertips of students and young adults, real-life success stories carry even more meaning by shedding light on history, patterns, and choices that lead to successful outcomes. Students and youth can glean information by hearing the stories of individuals, no matter their age, who focus on their inner resolve, persevere and challenge themselves to push through obstacles to obtain financial freedom and make a difference for others.

This reporter wanted to learn more about individuals overcoming personal challenges to find success in the financial sector. Utilizing setbacks as learning tools, lessons were revealed inside and outside the ‘school’ of hard knocks illustrating the power of acquiring financial literacy for early-career professionals.

Jeremiah, “The Bull” Evans, is a unique individual who took ownership of hardships and translated them into success at the age of 26. He is the CEO and Founder of Alpha Financial Agency, along with seven other companies and additional pursuits. In his spare time, he produces the Bullpen Podcast and works on his book, Alpha Hero. While the ‘alpha’ branding is prominent in all his efforts, it found its shape through years of persistence and facing fears dating back to childhood.

No One Is Coming to Save You

Incessant bullying was a part of Evans’s daily struggle at school. Kids taunted him with the name “The Bull,” ridiculing his weight and stature. “I did not want to wake up, go to school and endure those things,” recalls Evans. “Every single day felt like something was going to happen. They would beat me up or pin me down to the ground.”

When his father discovered the bullying, unlike some parents who step in on their child’s behalf, he believed Jeremiah needed to take full ownership himself. “No one is coming to save you,” said his father, demanding that he take on a particular bully who had struck him. “Don’t return home until you confront him,” said his dad. So that’s exactly what he did.

“My father forced me to push through that fear. To push through my limitations and realize my capabilities. For the rest of his life moving forward, I knew no matter what happens, I could do it and hold my shoulders higher,” says Evans.

He leaned on sports, but when football didn’t pan out, he used the same attitude of no excuses to enter into the business chapter of his life.

Turning a mocking phrase of “fat bull” into his own moniker, “The Bull” he took ownership and pride in his rediscovery of self. It gave him a sense of empowerment that carried over into his entrepreneurial pursuits.

Making Money to Make a Difference

“I didn’t choose the sector. I just did it because finance and financial services make more millionaires than any other industry in the world,” says Evans. It isn’t the money that motivates him but rather the freedom it allows to pursue other areas of interest to affect change. “To make a difference, unfortunately, it has to be through money. As much as people might argue that it shouldn’t be the way—it is. Just do what you have to do to become the person who makes the difference.”

Evans turns the idea of passion on its head. He admits that he was not initially passionate about finance-driven ventures but rather about possibilities derived from financial freedom and the acquisition of financial literacy skills.

Alpha Financial Agency, Evans’s mothership, trains and instructs agents on how to become established in the financial services business properly. With a concentration on leads in the insurance industry, and real estate investing, Evans provides opportunities for others to develop their own form of ownership in financial freedom. Success is measured by others succeeding. “How many agents have I been able to help live a life of freedom and can find time and purpose to donate to larger causes?” asks Evans.

“I’m 26. I have a lot of businesses that have generated over $50 million in sales in the last two to three years. The world will pay you what it thinks you’re worth. Money is just value,” he adds.

His philosophy of “Be Great or Be Nothing” carries over into his passion for more philanthropic pursuits working with Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad, by donating to their efforts to rescue children from trafficking and exploitation.

Meaning Through Fear

Sometimes financial literacy comes from adopting a work ethic and inner makeup to push through adversity. For Evans, it’s all about the embrace of fear. “Once you feel fear, it means you’re doing something to grow and stretch. It means you’re doing something meaningful. Nothing meaningful in life was ever done by someone who didn’t show courage and push through fear,” he says.

“Success will stand on top of a mountain of failures,“ says Evans. When it comes to entrepreneurial efforts in the gig economy, he relates fear directly to marketing strategies. According to Evans, marketing is nothing but testing what works and becoming obsessed with the ‘no.’

Entrepreneurs need to find what doesn’t work, change it, and, if necessary, change it again. Failure is often baked-in to the success for business and life.”That’s the crucible that separates the 1% from the 99%. The only difference between me at 26 and someone else at 26 is I’ve pushed myself through a lot more fear than they have. The 1% is willing to do what the 99% are unwilling to do. That’s the only difference.”

Resource allocation continues to have a seat at the proverbial education table of taglines. The dispersal of knowledge that supports long term investments in students as they become early-career professionals has the potential to impact more than one’s bottom line or LinkedIn profile.

The education sector might benefit from ensuring that financial literacy is given a permanent seat at the ever-evolving table of an industry in dire need of sure footing that will satisfy the ultimate customer, the student.

The ‘Bull’ continues to bet on it. Maybe education should too.

Interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.