Altruistic Professionalism: Why Do College Students Become Peer Financial Mentors?

In this study, the authors engaged with 54 peer financial mentors from seven institutions of higher education across the US through a qualitative inquiry using a Maslowian lens. PFMs, a type of college student worker, are typically hired by program managers or supervisors of financial wellness programs housed within financial offices, student affairs units, or other departments within institutions of higher education. Three core themes emerged from the data related to motivations of PFMs for seeking employment at their institution: (a) mentors wanted pre-professional work experiences aligned with a career in finance, (b) they wanted an on-campus position that provided future safety through pre-professional experience good for a résumé, and (c) they sought an altruistic job where they could help their peers with financial knowledge and skills.