A simple week of work experience can sometimes shape the course of an entire career – and for Andrew McRae, that’s exactly what happened.
In his final year at Westhill Academy, Acumen Financial Planning offered a week-long placement to pupils at the school. After submitting his CV, Andrew was selected. At the time, Andrew had no knowledge of financial planning or the roles within the profession, but he approached the opportunity with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
What Andrew discovered during that week completely shifted his perception. While he expected the work to be mostly about numbers, it quickly became clear that the heart of financial planning lies with the people it helps.
“I thought it would all be about the numbers,” Andrew says. “But what stood out was how much financial planning helps people achieve their life goals. That really inspired me – seeing the difference good advice can make.”
The welcoming atmosphere at Acumen and the positive impact the profession had on clients left a lasting impression. By the end of his placement, Andrew knew he wanted to pursue a career in financial planning. When Acumen later got in touch to offer him a full-time role in a financial planning support position, Andrew willingly accepted.
Andrew McRae Acumen Financial Planning
Balancing full-time work with professional study brought its challenges, requiring sacrifices of evenings and weekends. But Andrew was motivated by the long-term value. “It’s definitely time-consuming, but building that knowledge and achieving the qualifications has been massively beneficial,” he says. Acumen’s support played a key role, funding exams, providing paid study leave, and fostering a culture where experienced colleagues and mentors were always happy to help.
Over the next five and a half years – including two and a half in a support role and another two and a half as a Paraplanner – Andrew steadily progressed towards his goal. In 2024, he achieved Chartered status. Andrew became a planner earlier this year, making him the youngest Chartered Associate Financial Planner in Scotland. His achievement was recognised by the Chartered Insurance Institute, shared in the local press and celebrated across the firm.
Looking back, Andrew believes work experience was a turning point. It opened his eyes to a career he’d never considered and ultimately set him on the path he’s on today.
His advice to school pupils is simple: don’t underestimate the value of work experience. It might just lead to something more than you expected. And to those thinking about a career in financial planning, he encourages curiosity and initiative – ask questions, learn from those around you and take every opportunity that comes your way.
Thank you to Acumen Financial Planning for their support with this article. Further information about careers at Acumen Financial Planning is available here.
Employers who are interested in offering young people can access DYW's guide to Getting Started With Work Placements here. You can also contact the DYW North East team directly here.
Senior school pupils who are keen to pursue a work placement should initially speak with their guidance teacher.