Jeremiah Barwick

Winthrop University senior Jeremiah Barwick ended his final year of college on a high note. 

The Anaheim, California, native started the academic year as one of 13 college students selected to receive a 2024 Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Talent Advantage Student Scholarship (RIATA). 

Given by Schwab Advisor Services in partnership with Charles Schwab Foundation, the initiative provided Barwick with $10,000 to pay for his tuition. He was paired with an independent RIA leader for mentoring to help educate him on the opportunities within the industry and to navigate the start of his professional career. The experience has pushed him to new heights and patterns of thought as he prepares to take on the world of financial planning and entrepreneurship.

“My biggest piece of advice for students trying to better themselves in school is to do internships and find a mentor. There is no better path to career success than putting in that time outside the classroom,” Barwick said.

In January, Barwick passed the Series 65 exam, where he proved that he understood financial concepts and is now qualified to give investment advice for a fee. Passage of the Series 65 exam is the minimum requirement for many states for those wanting to become an investment advisor.

Another success occurred when Barwick worked with fellow student Regina Tindel to write a research paper comparing the careers of a CPA and a CFP. The paper was selected as one of the top five in a national competition, Career Exploration competition, and they advanced to placed fifth of 13 entries in the Financial ConNEXTion Educational Conference & Cruise.

Barwick feels passionately about entering the financial planning world and using his growing knowledge to help others. He didn’t learn about financial literacy at home but picked up the knowledge as an adult. After graduating high school, he spent four years in the Air Force in Phoenix, Arizona, as a F16 crew chief and completed some college. Barwick and his wife took a chance in moving to the East Coast with their two children and settled in Rock Hill to be close to Charlotte and its financial institutions.

He has realized in the past couple of years how powerful it can be to educate himself in the financial planning field and then help others in business or in non-profit agencies and their clients. He completed summer internships in 2024 at Trinity Point Wealth and at Wealth Enhancement Group, both in Charlotte. Both gave him multiple opportunities to get hands-on experience. 

As a student-leader at Winthrop, Barwick took information he learned back to his fellow students to help them network and grow in their profession. He was among a handful of students who worked with Professor Philip Gibson to resurrect the financial planning club and to take on projects. 

During this senior year, Barwick has spent time networking and checking out prospective employers. “I see this career field as more fulfilling rather than laborious,” he said. 

After graduation, Barwick plans to join an RIA firm specializing in small business owners, an area where he finds fulfillment in helping them succeed. The business world appeals to him, he said, because of his natural inclination to solving problems. “I want to make an impact on the world, and I believe I can do that at maximum efficiency in a business setting,” Barwick said.