Process Innovation Sr. Manager,
Fidelity Investments

Philip last volunteered with Junior Achievement in spring of 2014 when he taught JA Finance Park Virtual to seniors at Terry Parker High School.

Why do you volunteer with JA?

I attended Susquehannock High School in Glen Rock, PA…one day I was personally challenged by my teacher when asked, “Philip if you had all the money you needed and had to fill up your days doing something, what would it be?” I thought about it and I said I would love to teach young kids the value of investing their money early on in life and for them to make wise decisions with their money.

Last fall, I was given an opportunity to volunteer with JA through a partnership with Fidelity Investments. That long ago comment came back to mind, and I knew immediately I had to make the time and challenge myself to get out there and do it!

What is your favorite part about teaching the JA lessons?

I love to challenge the students to dream, to think for themselves, to participate, to question why they are doing what they are doing and to really believe in what is possible.

I have, so to speak, seen the light bulb come on while standing in front of a classroom of students. This is why I keep coming back.

Seeing the students get excited, begin to think differently and realize that there is a world filled with opportunities for them and they should use every opportunity to their advantage to begin now.

If I can contribute and play a little part to make a positive difference in someone’s future, this would be the best part!

On special moments volunteering:

During one class we did a timeline exercise where students map out their life events.

One student completed his timeline and shared that he wanted to be an Air Force pilot like his Dad. He wasn’t really selling it to me so I challenged him, asking why did he want to be a pilot? Of course the answer was because his Dad was. So I continued to ask, is this the lifestyle he wanted? He actually said no and that he really wanted to be a Captain on the water.

I shared my story of working as a yacht captain and traveling around the world making great money and living for free. It was then that he lit up; he was fast to approach me after class to gain more information.

This summer, after graduation, this young man took a class on yachting in Ft. Lauderdale and he has started his personal journey working on private yachts.

It is so rewarding to know that I was instrumental in helping him see another option which allowed him to do what he really wants to do and at the same time save for his future.

There is absolutely nothing more rewarding! I love this particular quote for this very purpose: “The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.” –Benjamin Disraeli