Nate Kruse is a successful business owner in Lincoln and is only 25. He not only is the College Unit Director of Northwestern Mutual, but he started his career as an intern while being an Economics major at UNL. See what he says about his internship experience only four short years ago…

What did you originally see yourself doing out of college when you were in school? I knew I wanted to do something where I could talk to good people and be able to help them in their personal or professional lives in one way or another. If I had to guess I would have thought that I would have been a seed or chemical representative or farmer with a side business.

How did this internship change your perspective on your career? HUGE! I didn’t know what to expect. It first started with the culture; working with good motivated people that have good values was something I soon realized was a non-negotiable in a career for me. I found absolute ways that I can be a real and active advocate for my clients, their family, as well as their businesses.

What did you enjoy most about the internship? Two things: First, learning first-hand how to start and maintain my personal business (the good and the difficult that go along with that). Secondly, that the people who want to talk about the things that I can help them with are the kind of people who care about their families and their futures; they generally have amazing stories and desires.

What did you learn? SO MUCH! I learned how to communicate professionally, not to pass judgment (to see people for what they want to become rather than where they are), how to educate, how to network, and how to be a better money manager for myself and future family.

How is this career impacting your life now that you are in leadership/management and a full time representative? Now that I have been here four years I get the satisfaction of seeing people hitting their goals and seeing how it strengthens our relationship. Also, the flexibility to know I will be able to spend time with my future family and be an excellent provider for them. That only comes as a result of good and quality client-focused work.

Come meet Nate and the rest of the Northwestern Mutual internship team on Monday, September 10th.

9 AM-3 PM: Northwestern Mutual Putt-Putt Challenge in CBA Atrium. Putt for a hole-in-one and get the chance to win a new putter!

1 PM: Information Session in CBA 109

2:30 PM: Information Session in CBA 139