Posted By Mark Scarp

By CHRISTIE ROSHAU, NEFE/SABEW Fellow

As a new semester launches as a new beginning for students across the country, my journey is coming to a close in more than one way. Not only is this my final column for SABEW as the fellow, but also my last semester as a student at the Arizona State University. I feel as if this semester is not just a close to school-related events and opportunities, but also can be seen as a door that is opening up in preparation for opportunitiesChristie Roshau

We must always be ready that when one door closes, another one will certainly open. We just have to make sure we are equipped to do the things that are on the other side of the door. We equip ourselves by keeping our priorities in line: family, relationships, God, finances, work, school, recreation….

The list is different for everyone, but needs to be in line. We equip ourselves in those moments where we feel discouraged. They are actually our times of testing to see if we’re ready to move on to the next level, the next step, the next road in our journey so commonly called “life.”

Working with SABEW was definitely a test I had to go through in order to equip myself for my next doors of opportunity. To be honest, at the beginning, I felt like I was the least likely and least deserving for the job. Yes, I am a journalist. Yes, I love to write. Yes, I am a student. But the knowledge I felt I lacked out of all my writing styles was the ability to write to an audience of peers dealing with financial/business situations. I never did it before! The class I got the lowest grade in throughout my whole college career? Economics, a core business class. I never had to think about finances or business writing before now! With that being said. I was, what you would call, an underdog in the business world. Deep down, however, I knew it was something I needed to apply for. Why?

Challenge. It’s all about doing things outside our comfort zone. How can we grow as writers, as business leaders, as students, if we don’t first step out into realms up discomfort? I knew I had some growing up to do in my writing abilities regarding business and finances, and though it wasn’t always the most comfortable things to write about, I knew it was something that I had to do if I were to grow. So, I stepped out in faith, and got the job.

Being this is my last official article for SABEW and NEFE as their fellow, I need to give credit where credit is due. Thank you, first of all, to the SABEW team I worked with in Arizona, and across the country. What an honor it was to be working side by side with the top-of-the-line professionals! It truly meant so much, and you were so helpful and encouraging to me!

Also, I got to thank the Lord. There were nights where I was afraid it just wouldn’t sound just right, not “smart” enough for the business world. That was all just fear, not the truth. What I didn’t realize was in those moments of weakness. I was the strongest because I let go, and let God. I got ideas and was able to do my research to write out beneficial articles for my readers. People came across my path, such as the team I worked with the past semester, to encourage and lead me down the right path. So with that, I say thank you.

To the following fellow, I encourage you to talk with students, starting with your friends. People come from a variety of backgrounds, so start with your circle of friends to see the issues in their finances. Know that any advice you will give is great advice, because you are walking in their shoes. Take stories from your personal life, and don’t be afraid to share them. You never know who may be reading and needs to hear that exact story! I already know that if you were the one chosen to write, there’s a great reason behind it!

With that, to the college students who have been reading this column: Remember to always think twice with your finances.. Good habits now will launch into great decision-making skills later. Don’t let money control you, but you control your money. Above all, remember that you are always learning, growing, and developing financial skills, so when that season of college comes to a close in your life, you will be ready to walk on through to the next door of opportunity that comes your way.

(Throughout the spring 2010 semester, Christie Roshau of Phoenix, an Arizona State University senior, has been writing columns for SABEW on college student personal finance through a grant from the National Endowment for Financial Education. A new fellow from the University of Missouri, Columbia, will take up the column for the fall 2010 semester.)