College Financial Representative Internship – Northwestern Mutual

Overview

As a College Financial Representative in Northwestern Mutual’s internship program, you will be provided with a robust framework, guidance, and critical connections to build an integrated financial planning practice from the ground up. Interns, hailing from diverse academic backgrounds and experiences, will embark on constructing their own financial planning practice. This endeavor is supported by access to local and nationwide experts, exclusive financial products, and the comprehensive backing of a Fortune 500 company. This opportunity is designed to significantly boost your confidence, expand your professional network, and empower you to help individuals achieve financial freedom. At Northwestern Mutual, hard work directly translates to rewarding outcomes.

Responsibilities

This internship program is meticulously designed to mirror the experience of a full-time Financial Representative career, providing you with invaluable hands-on experience:

• Business Development: Learn and apply effective strategies for prospecting and networking to build your own business and client base.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and diligently execute a comprehensive business strategy.
• Client Engagement: Initiate contact with potential clients, successfully set meetings to understand their financial goals, prepare tailored plans, and offer insightful, useful recommendations.
• Technological Exposure: Gain practical exposure to proprietary financial planning software platforms.
• Continuous Learning: Participate actively in weekly coaching, training, and development meetings.
• Licensing & Certifications: Receive comprehensive support to obtain Risk Product State Licensing (Life, Accident, and Health). The program offers the flexibility to participate year-round, allowing for continued practice growth and support for additional registrations and certifications such as the Series 6 & 63 or CFP® (eligibility required).
• Skill Development: Cultivate essential life skills that pave the way for future career opportunities.

Enjoy a flexible schedule that accommodates your academic life and classes. Beyond daily responsibilities, you’ll find inspiration at local and national recognition events, gain access to prestigious leadership programs, and have opportunities to collaborate with experts across the business. Northwestern Mutual is committed to providing diverse resources that foster your personal and professional growth. Highly motivated and eligible students will also have the direct opportunity to interview for a full-time Financial Representative or Advisor role upon graduation.

Qualifications

We are looking for ambitious individuals who are a strong fit for this dynamic internship. Ideal candidates possess:

• Academic Status: Currently enrolled as a full-time student, with a strong preference for juniors and seniors.
• Entrepreneurial Drive: Demonstrated entrepreneurial ambitions and a genuine curiosity for sales.
• Campus Involvement: Highly involved on campus, showcasing leadership or active participation (e.g., leaders, athletes, campus organization members, student government officials).
• Organizational Skills: Possess excellent time-management skills.
• Financial Acumen: A keen interest in financial literacy and planning tools.
• Business Mindset: Exhibiting strong business savvy and a clear desire to enhance critical thinking abilities.

Compensation & Benefits

This internship offers a compelling compensation and benefits structure designed to reward performance and support professional growth:

• Earning Structure: Predominantly performance-based earnings and revenue, reflecting your direct impact.
• Development Incentives: Access to Learning and Development Incentives of up to $1000/month, which are *not inclusive of earned commissions*.
• Performance Rewards: Opportunity to earn Productivity Bonuses.
• Licensing Support: Full financial and logistical support for insurance licensing (Life, Health, Disability Income (DI), Long Term Care (LTC)).
• Securities Registration Support: Support for SIE, Series 6, and Series 63 registrations (eligibility required).

About Us

For over 165 years, Northwestern Mutual has been dedicated to empowering clients to “spend their lives living” through comprehensive and innovative financial planning. We achieve this by seamlessly combining the expertise of our financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and a suite of industry-leading products. This approach equips our clients to confidently navigate their financial journeys.

Our tailored methodology integrates multiple financial strategies—including insurance, investments, and annuities—designed to be mutually reinforcing and ensure clients stay on track toward their financial goals. We pride ourselves on unmatched financial strength and providing access to the best products and services for our clients.

Northwestern Mutual views its Financial Representatives and College Financial Representatives as valued partners and proud business owners. As such, they are classified as independent contractors¹ for income tax purposes (income based on production) and “statutory employees” for Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax purposes.

Our company is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and belonging workplace where every individual’s unique viewpoint is celebrated and contributes to collective success. We actively strive to build teams that reflect the diversity of our customers and communities, creating an environment where all employees are welcomed, valued, and heard.

¹ Northwestern Mutual College Financial Representatives are Independent Contractors whose income is based on production. If offered to apply for approval of an intern contract to become a Northwestern Mutual College Financial Representative, a national criminal background check is required. Should the background check results provide information which would not allow someone to work for Northwestern Mutual, approval to contract will be withdrawn.

Why Join Northwestern Mutual?

Joining Northwestern Mutual means becoming part of an organization recognized for excellence and impact:

• A proud Fortune 500 company (2023).
• Recognized among the Top 100 Internship Programs by Yello x WayUp (2022).
• Serving over 5.0 million clients and growing² globally.
• Managing or holding $257 billion in retail investment client assets³.
• Consistently ranked among Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity (2018-2021).
• Boasting unsurpassed financial strength⁴ among U.S. life insurers.
• Designated a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index (2015-2021).

² As of June 30, 2023
³ Combined client assets of NMIS and NMWMC as of June 30, 2023
⁴ Among U.S. life insurers. Ratings are for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company, as of the most recent review and report by each rating agency. Ratings as of: 06/23 (Moody’s Investors Service), 08/23 (A.M. Best Company), 08/23 (Fitch Ratings), 05/23 (S&P Global Ratings)

Salary Range

USD $500.00 – $1,000.00 /Yr.
(Note: This listed salary range may refer to a base stipend, as total compensation for this performance-based role also includes commissions, learning & development incentives up to $1000/month, and productivity bonuses.)