Laura Emery plans on attaining the Certified Financial Planner designation and working in the wealth management department of a bank. When she isn’t busy studying, Laura likes to cook, play the piano, discuss politics with friends, and relax. 

Get to know Laura 

  • Major: Financial Counseling and Planning 
  • Class: Senior 
  • Hometown: Ames, Iowa (Story County)
  • Career goal: Work in the wealth management department of a bank 
  • Clubs/activities: Vice President of Young Americans for Freedom, Member of Financial Planning Association of Ames Student Chapter, United Residents of Off-Campus (UROC) Senator in ISU Student Government, College of Health and Human Sciences Ambassador
  • Awards/honors: Ames Family and Consumer Sciences Home and Community Group Scholarship Recipient, Dorothy Avery Clark and Maurice R. Clark Scholarship Recipient, Beverley Kruempel Scholarship Recipient, Charlotte Gustafson Akins Scholarship Recipient, Top 2% College of Health and Human Sciences Sophomore, Dean’s List
  • Favorite place on campus: Second floor of Beardshear Hall 
  • Most influential ISU mentor: Daeyong Lee
  • Favorite class: HDFS 341, Household Finance and Policy
  • Why Iowa State: Grew up as a Cyclone fan, Iowa State being the only state school with a financial planning program in the College of Health and Human Sciences

Laura Emery builds life and career experience through ISU organizations and job

During high school, Laura Emery was interested in pursuing a career in accounting, but after she talked with someone who was majoring in financial counseling and planning, she found it to be much better suited for her. 

“I met with the [FCP] adviser, explored the classes, looked at career paths, and decided that it was the perfect major for me,” Laura said. “I want to help people, and this major will allow me to work with people and have a direct impact on their lives.”

When she first arrived at Iowa State University, Laura wasn’t sure what she wanted to be involved in, but knew she wanted to join organizations she was passionate about that would create an impact on the university and its students. So, she decided to check out a little bit of everything. Discovering and joining different clubs that piqued her interest helped Laura build both life and career skills. 

Laura now holds numerous leadership positions in multiple organizations on campus. She is the vice president of the Iowa State chapter of Young Americans for Freedom, a political club Laura was also involved in at her high school. She also helped initiate its presence on campus with a group of her peers. 

Additionally, Laura is a senator for the Iowa State Student Government, a College of Health and Human Sciences Ambassador, and a member of the Financial Planning Association of Ames Student Chapter. Her membership in these clubs shaped her college career and helped prepare her for the future.

“If there is something that’s even remotely interesting to you, go to a club meeting and at least try it. You have to try things before you realize that you don’t like them,” Laura said. 

Outside of her busy club schedule, Laura  works with tax documents and FAFSA materials in the verification department of the Iowa State Office of Student Financial Aid. 

“It’s given me good exposure to tax documents and the financial aid process. It’s also shown me how to be detail oriented and work with all different kinds of people, with all different backgrounds,” she said. 

As a senior at Iowa State, Laura has put a lot of thought into her future. She hopes to one day hold a position at a bank, working in the wealth management department. Laura is content with the idea of staying in Iowa or moving out of state for her future career because she loves to travel. Overall though, she is most excited about getting to apply what she’s learned at Iowa State to her profession.