Finance Event
Personal Finance and Investment Strategy Workshop, Spring 2026
San Jose State University Business Department (BUS5 187)
Extra credit session covering personal finance fundamentals, retirement planning, and investment strategies. Topics included emergency fund planning, debt management, tax-advantaged accounts (401k, IRA, Roth IRA), and long-term wealth building through diversification.
I Learned personal finance fundamentals including the importance of paying yourself first through automatic investments, building an emergency fund of 3-6 months expenses, and getting rid of high-interest debt before investing. Covered tax-advantaged retirement accounts like 401k and Roth IRA, understanding when each makes sense based on current vs. future tax brackets, and the value of employer matching (free money). Emphasized long-term wealth building through diversification across different investments, avoiding high-risk moves like day trading, and letting compound interest work over time rather than trying to get rich quick.
Directly connects to my MIS career path where understanding financial planning helps with both personal wealth management and evaluating technology investments from a business perspective. As I start working, knowing how to maximize employer benefits like 401k matching, RSUs, and ESPP will be critical for building long-term wealth while working in the tech industry.