Papers submitted in response to the title must cover the following 3 points plus the social media post requirement:

 

1.          Two specific careers in the financial services profession must be analyzed through research and interviews with practitioners. A minimum of 8 practitioners (4 per career) must be interviewed, with some face-to-face (which includes Zoom). The paper must demonstrate that the students:

a.          Understands the day-to-day activities of the two careers.

b.          Knows the background (license, education, work path, etc.) required for an individual to enter the two careers.

c.          Explored what practitioners deem important to advance/succeed in the two careers.

d.          Identified the professional associations practitioners belong to and the benefits, if any, gained through their participation in the associations.

2.          The team must identify what practitioners deem the most important characteristics of each career. For example, of the following characteristics what do practitioners consider the most important attribute of each career: income opportunity, flexibility, work/life balance, career advancement, job stability, sense of meaning, others.  Students should determine if any of the attributes changed in importance from the time the practitioners entered the two careers.

3.          The research must include a discussion of the attributes practitioners look for in an intern/job candidate.

4.          During the last week of October, each member of the team must post to their respective social media account (such as LinkedIn) a post detailing the impact the student experienced conducting the interviews and participating in the Competition. The hashtag “Financial ConNEXTionCompetition” will need to be used to track the post.

NOTE: The paper should synthesize, not just report the information gathered. It should not exceed 18 pages double-spaced.

 

The competition consists of an oral presentation in addition to the paper. Judges will have the option to select up to 5 teams to compete in the oral portion of the competition. The number of teams selected may be less than 5 teams or more depending on the quality of the papers submitted. By participating in the competition applicants agree to assume any risk associated with the program, including releasing the organizers from all claims of loss, damage, injury, sickness or death that may arise as a result.

 

Scholarship Awards are in addition to cruise cabin expense*

1st Place – Up to $3,500
2nd Place – Up to $2,500
3rd Place - Up to $2,000
4th Place – Up to $1,750
5th Place – Up to $1,500

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Questions contact Terri Getman at tgclu@comcast.com or 952-232-8095

*Scholarships checks will be made out to qualified charitable entities

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TO COMPETE: Students must submit a written paper by Sunday November 1, 2026 5PM Eastern. Teams entering the competition may be comprised of up to two undergraduate and/or graduate students per team. Students who graduate earlier in December 2026 are permitted as long as permitted by the university. A panel of judges will select up to five finalist teams with the top written solutions covered in the submitted papers. Universities may have multiple teams participating, but only the best team from the university can be selected in the top five. Each of the final teams selected will be from a different university. The paper will count 35% of the final decision.

 

FINAL ORAL COMPETITION: The plan is for the finalist teams to compete for scholarship funds in an oral competition during the unique Financial ConNEXTion Educational Cruise departing New Orleans, LA on February 13, 2027. The scholarship award will be partially based on attendance (both student & professor) at the educational meetings and group dinners conducted on the cruise. If the cruise is cancelled due to emergency the oral competition will be held by video and scholarships will be awarded.

 

ORAL COMPETITION CONTENT: The oral presentation will be based on how the information gathered for the paper influenced the students’ decision to either pursue, or not pursue, the 2 careers studied. PowerPoint will be optional. A team will be disqualified if a student or professor does not participate in the cruise for any reason other than medical or national emergency.

 

PASSPORT: Passports are required. 

 

CRUISE EXPENSES COVERED: The student finalists and professor from each university will have the cruise cabin expense for a double occupancy inside cabin covered. This includes meals in main dining, taxes, wifi, and gratuities. It does not cover transportation to and from New Orleans or shore excursions. We recommend flights into New Orleans International Airport arriving February 12, 2026. Group rate package is available for hotel on evening February 12 in New Orleans and round-trip transportation from hotel to cruise pier and back to New Orleans International Airport. Reservations must be made with Continuing Education at Seas at 800-422-0711. 

 

OTHER CRUISE ATTENDEES: Students, family and friends are invited to attend this unique cruise experience.

 

SIGN-UP SHEET: If you think you will be submitting a paper please complete the sign-up sheet at the end and send it to tgclu@comcast.net. 

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FOR MORE DETAILS:

- Sample Questions

-Submission Requirements

- Format and Writing Style

CLICK BELOW!