Michael Beall 
Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services 
Class of 2023 | Business Management, minor in Economics 

 

When Michael Beall arrived at Farmingdale State College, he was still figuring things out. 

He grew up in Kings Park and began his college journey at Suffolk Community College, unsure of exactly what direction he wanted to take. By his own admission, he was not always the most focused student early on. College felt like something to move through rather than something to build from. That began to shift once he transferred to Farmingdale. 

With the help of professors and exposure to classes that genuinely interested him, especially in Finance and Economics, Michael began to find direction. Courses started to feel relevant. Concepts felt applicable. For the first time, he could see how what he was learning in the classroom might translate into a real career.

He explored several academic paths before finding his footing, moving from History Education to Liberal Arts and eventually into Business Management with a minor in Economics. Each shift brought him closer to understanding what held his attention and where his strengths could grow. Once he found that direction, he committed to it fully. 

Michael credits Professor Bartley with helping him develop the motivation and discipline he needed at the time. A simple incentive in an Accounting course sparked a competitive drive that pushed him to fully engage with the material. That effort did more than improve his grades. It changed how he saw himself as a student and showed him what could happen when he applied himself consistently. 

Finance courses with Professor Meeghan Rogers helped sharpen that direction even further. Through those classes, and with guidance from faculty and campus resources, Michael secured internships that would ultimately shape his career path. Those experiences offered more than exposure to the industry. They provided clarity, confidence, and professional connections that extended beyond the classroom. 

By the time he graduated in 2023 with a degree in Business Management and a minor in Economics, Michael had already built the foundation for what came next. His internship experience led directly into a full-time opportunity with Ameriprise Financial Services, where he now works as a Financial Advisor. 

For Michael, internships were not just resume builders. They were the bridge between education and career. They provided firsthand insight into the industry, helped him build relationships, and allowed him to enter the workforce with both experience and direction. He often emphasizes how important those opportunities are for students who are still figuring out where they want to go. Trying different roles, attending events, and staying open to new experiences can lead to opportunities that are difficult to see while you are still in the classroom. 

Transitioning into full-time work brought new challenges. Before fully stepping into his role, Michael needed to pass four licensing exams. The process was demanding and required a level of discipline and confidence he had spent years building. At the time, he was not sure if he could manage the pressure of studying, testing, and beginning a new career simultaneously. He remembers sitting with certification textbooks hundreds of pages long and reminding himself to focus only on what was directly in front of him. 
One chapter at a time. One page at a time. One exam at a time. 

That mindset carried him through the licensing process and into his first years as a Financial Advisor, where building a client base and establishing stability required patience and persistence. While many of his peers stepped into salaried roles immediately after graduation, Michael was building something from the ground up. It took longer, but it gave him ownership over what he was creating. 

Now at 25, he holds two advanced professional designations, Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor™ (APMA™) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™). As one of the younger professionals in his office, he has already taken on leadership responsibilities and continues working toward his Certified Financial Planner designation. A few years into his career, he has reached a point where the uncertainty of those early days has begun to give way to confidence. 

Despite that momentum, one of the most important lessons he has carried with him is the importance of balance. Building a career takes energy and focus, but so does maintaining your well-being. 

“Listen to your body,” he says. “If you need the day off, take the day off. If you need to skip the gym and just go for a walk, do that. Everything is a journey, and you have to recognize when you need to slow down.” 

Family remains central to everything he works toward. Recently engaged to his longtime partner and close with his four sisters, he speaks often about wanting to build a stable future not only for himself but for the family he hopes to continue building. That sense of responsibility shapes both his professional goals and the way he defines success. 

For Michael, success is not just about growth or income. It is about building a career that allows you to grow while still enjoying your life outside of work. 

His advice to current students reflects much of what he has learned. Be patient. Pursue internships. Try opportunities even if you are not sure they are the perfect fit. Keep your network open and take advantage of events, workshops, and connections while you are still on campus. Those experiences can shape your direction in ways you may not expect. 

When he first arrived at Farmingdale, he was a student trying to get through college. He left as a professional ready to build something of his own. 

Take the internship.