Sirus Turkzadeh, '24SPS, Wealth Management

Why did you choose the Master of Professional Studies in Wealth Management at the Columbia School of Professional Studies? 

One day, I searched “Top CFP Programs” online and started looking at the top options. I had done this a few years back, but I thought I would try again. To my surprise, there was a new option that shocked me: Columbia University, Masters in Wealth Management. I was immediately intrigued and started doing a deep dive into the School’s website and watching YouTube videos of former students. I think I was hooked instantly. My brother attended Columbia Law and now having an opportunity to study at an IVY League school while also working on my CFP requirement, I could not pass up the chance to join the program. This really felt like the best program in the country for Wealth Advisors.

How does this program differentiate from an M.B.A. (if applicable)? 

I had told myself that I would not go back to school after my undergrad. I had the job I wanted as a Financial Advisor, and the only other school option out there was an M.B.A. which covered too many business topics that would not help me in my career. When I saw a Masters degree in Wealth Management, it really felt like a match made in heaven. This is exactly what I was hoping would exist one day, and as an added bonus, it’s from Columbia University. For any financial advisor, this is the best program out there if you are looking to advance in your career and have access to 30-40 years of industry experience and wisdom. 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to prospective students? 

Understand that this is a big commitment you are making to yourself, your family, and your future cohort members. This is a vigorous and difficult program that is meant to make you use all elements of your knowledge and be willing to think outside of your normal thinking. Be open to new perspectives, give it your all, and have your support system in place to help you through the 16 months. What you put into this program is what you will get out of it. 

How were you able to build meaningful relationships in this online program? How did you engage with faculty, students, and guest speakers? 

At first, you would think that this program would be pretty lonely. A few group projects and some discussion posts, but that should probably be it. This is far from the truth. This entire program is all about you and your cohort members. You will become fast friends and truly build very strong friendships throughout the program. The program does a great job of starting with an in-person orientation. Throughout your time in the program, you will have additional opportunities to meet on campus with your cohort members and other cohort members (do take advantage of these optional meet-ups. I would fly across the country just to attend a one-day session). You will be speaking to people in your cohort once a day at minimum. I must have had a dozen or more group chats with different people. Over time, we would get together for dinners or happy hours depending on our geographical locations. Office hours were also great ways to see fellow classmates and professors. The faculty are incredible and always willing to set up one-on-one meetings or group calls. Even after the program, I still speak to some of my professors!

How did your career change during and/or after earning an M.P.S. in Wealth Management?

My career changed in the first semester of this program. I continuously praise Professor Bill Woodson for the effects he had on my business. In a meeting I had with him, Bill asked what my minimum is for new clients. At the time, I was taking on clients with a minimum AUM (assets under management) of $2MM. He told me that I was underselling myself and that being in this program meant something. He told me to immediately increase my minimum to $10MM. That next week, I told my business partner that we should increase our minimum based on the conversation I had with my professor. He was reluctant at first, but we decided to make the change. We jointly had our best year in the business in 2023. We are setting ourselves up for an even better year in 2024. All of this was done because a professor in the program decided to give career-changing advice during a one-on-one call. This program gives you an incredible amount of confidence, especially as a young advisor. I am in my 8th year of the business now, and sometimes it can be daunting to speak with clients with Billion-dollar balance sheets. Now, I can take on any conversation without feeling like I lack the adequate knowledge or expertise needed to express myself.