Instructor Q&A: Avi Pai
Personal Financial Planning Instructor
Fall 2018
Q. Why did you decide to become
an instructor?
A. In my late teens, I was
introduced to The Bridge Builder
poem by Will Allen Dromgoole. It's
a simple poem about a man being
questioned for building a bridge for
a path he's already crossed. He
replies that he builds the bridge for
the next person that will need to
cross the same path. That idea of
helping others (on the same
journey) has always stuck with me.
While in college, I taught SAT
preparation to high school students
through The Princeton Review.
When I passed the CFP® exam, I was
so thankful to UCI for the amazing
Personal Financial Planning program
it offers. A year or two later, I had
reached out to UCI simply offering
to be of assistance if the program
or any instructors needed any
help. They mentioned there was
a teaching position open and
suggested I interview and present.
I think I won over the interviewers
by reusing some of my tactics from
teaching SAT prep to high school
students.
Q. What's unique about your
teaching style?
A. I actually start out every quarter
by telling students that my goal is
to make my class the best class
they've taken in the program. I
want the class to be educational,
fun, and impactful. It's challenging
to teach to both career changers
and professionals with 30+ years in the industry. I like to blend the
academic and practical aspects
of financial planning because of the
variety of experience in the classroom.
In order to engage everyone, I
can't just hammer topics (especially
when they've already learned them
in other courses), and I can't be
boring. I try to involve art and music,
use the Socratic method, and have
topical guest speakers to help fellow
professionals think differently.
A major part of my course is an
individual presentation of a limitedscope
financial plan. Students
choose to do a traditional presentation
to the entire class OR they
can role play a client meeting with
fellow students (where they make
the recommendations and have
to explain things to clients). Every
student is given a grade by me, but
also receives at least 3 anonymous
reviews by their peers. The peer
review ratings don't affect their
grade, but help them understand
how people at different parts of
the experience spectrum viewed
their presentation and how they
can improve their techniques/communication skills. I think it's
helpful for someone who has
experience to get feedback from
both more experienced peers as
well as total rookies. Conversely, the
rookie benefits from fellow rookies
and seasoned professionals.
Q. What do you find most
rewarding about being an
instructor?
A. Without a doubt, it's truly
an honor to be a part of a fellow
professional's journey to become
a better advice dispenser.
Professionals that become CFP®
certificants have a list of goals
including to be the best resource
possible to their clients, improve the
profession, and increase their
professional value and income
potential. Although I'm not anyone
important, it's an awesome feeling
to be involved in that!
Even after the course is done, I
treasure when students reach out
to me to give me updates: career
changes, promotions, passing the
CFP Board exam, etc!
Q. How else have you decided to
become engaged in UCI's larger
community? How else have you decided to
become engaged in UCI's larger
community?
A. In 2018, I was introduced to
UCI's Chancellor's Club through
the Dean of Continuing Education,
Gary Matkin. I'm so glad I joined
because it's served as a front row
seat to seeing some of the most
amazing things UCI is working on.
I've had the pleasure of attending
a private keynote from the brilliant
new School of Law Dean, L. Song
Richardson; I have met with people
from UCI Mind, Claire Trevor School
of Arts, etc.
I am blown away to see how UCI is
determined to be a leader in every
way it wants to be! In fact, seeing
that motivates me to bring my
best game even as a small-time
instructor!