When employers and universities collaborate, the partnership can create boundless opportunities for students to succeed and for the broader community to thrive.

Computer systems engineering alumnus Hunter Johnson is a beneficiary of such opportunities. Beginning his career in the Private Wealth Management sector at Baird in 2018 as an intern, Johnson has worked his way to the role of senior client specialist.

“When employers provide mentorship, internships and scholarships to bring on top talent, the knowledge base grows within a community, which is a great thing,” said Johnson. “For whatever reason, many industries keep knowledge a secret. However, sharing industry knowledge with the next generation and being people-driven is a win-win for everyone involved.”

As a senior client specialist, Johnson is on the Planning Group of the Northwest, an Anchorage-based, 10-person team. Serving Alaskans for over 40 years, the group specializes in holistic planning, which involves working with high-net-worth clients, their families, accountants and attorneys to manage investments and help realize their client’s financial goals.

Johnson pursued a career in personal finance due to an interest in the subject and the importance it plays in life. That interest stems from a wider passion for math and STEM, which he credits to his father, an electrical engineer. Johnson’s favorite part of the job is the human element, which he attributes to his mother, a nurse at the Alaska Native Medical Center.

“This job allows me to be analytical while still being people oriented,” said Johnson. “We get to solve problems and watch how the changes we make today impact our clients years from now. On the other side, when a client comes to me stressed and unsure of what is happening in the world, I get to walk them through their fears and show them that there are plans in place that have been tested for the crazy world we are in today.”

While in college, Johnson reached out to a family friend for advice on how to enter the field of personal finance. Coincidentally, the Planning Group at Baird was looking for an intern. Johnson landed an internship in 2018 after completing his sophomore year at UAA.

Continuing to work with the Planning Group through college, Johnson expressed his intention to work at Baird full time after graduation. The team nominated him to spend a year in Wisconsin at Baird’s home office as part of the company’s Foundations Program, focusing on the varied opportunities within the financial services industry before returning to Anchorage in his current role. He is currently studying for his certified financial planner designation and plans to take his test in the fall.

Having benefited from internships and professional development programs, as well as from scholarships provided by the State of Alaska and the Aleut Foundation, Johnson is working to pay it forward by establishing a partnership between Baird and UAA.

“Not having to worry about tuition and job placement was a huge weight off my shoulders. I was able to focus solely on education, which is something that not a lot of students get to do,” said Johnson. “Now that I’m at a company that has a passion for providing opportunities where none have been offered before, I can take action and put something in place for future generations.”