Voices: Joe Birkofer, on Becoming a Financial Planner in Middle Age

Summary: For 11 years, I've taught a class for Rice University's Certified Financial Planning program. I see teaching as an opportunity to keep my skills sharp and give back to the industry. As a financial planner, it's good to say that I'm teaching what I'm preaching. I normally encounter two kinds of students. The first are career enhancers--established advisers who are looking to add the CFP designation and return to their jobs. The second kind of student--the career changer--doesn't have it nearly as easy.