Building a Future in Wealth Management

For Teresa Woo, choosing our Certificate Program in Personal Financial Planning wasn’t just about earning a highly respected credential—it was about transformation.

“What inspired me to choose UC Berkeley Extension’s program was its great reputation for preparing future CFP® professionals, as well as its extensive network of industry faculty and alumni,” she reflects. “It was transformative for me, both personally and professionally, and it laid the foundation for the entrepreneurial venture I’m now building. I’m glad I made that decision because it provides me with the skills and confidence to succeed.”

From Experience to Expertise

With more than a decade of experience working with Tencent America as the director of operations (The Americas), Teresa already understood the critical role financial planning plays in protecting wealth, achieving goals and ensuring continuity across generations.

“In that role, I had to learn everything on my own,” she says. “That on-the-job learning gave me a solid foundation but showed me how much more there was to learn and master. The program at UC Berkeley Extension allowed me to build on that experience with formal training, fresh knowledge and a deeper understanding of the field.”

Learning From Experts

What stood out most were the instructors who brought their real-world experiences directly into the classroom. “The Personal Financial Planning Capstone and Real Estate Investments for Financial Planners instructors made the biggest impression on me,” Teresa enthuses. “They weren’t just teaching from a textbook—they shared real-world experiences. The integration of case studies, presentations and practical examples mirrored real-life client interactions.”

Among the courses, the Capstone course proved especially memorable. “It combined all the knowledge I had gained during the curriculum and applied it to an actual client case,” she recalls. “The creation and presentation of comprehensive financial plans was the last task. It allowed me to practice clearly communicating solutions while accurately simulating real-world client scenarios.”

Preparing for the Profession

For Teresa, the certificate did more than confirm what she had learned on the job—it added structure, depth and a stronger foundation for her future.

“The certificate prepared me for the financial planning profession by giving structure and depth to what I had previously learned while working with ultra-wealthy families,” she explains. “It strengthened my ability to analyze complex situations and confidently provide solutions. I hope to build a business focusing on ultra-high-net-worth family offices and serve those clients to the highest standards.”

Now, she is channeling what she learned into her entrepreneurial goals. “The certificate provided me with the technical capabilities and client-centric perspective required to launch a business in ultra-wealthy family office financial management. It enables me to develop structured, intelligent solutions that address the specific needs of high-net-worth clientele.”

Her advice to anyone considering the program is straightforward:

“The certificate is designed to teach the principles of personal financial planning, technology skills and real-world perspectives. You will gain knowledge that will serve you both personally and professionally. Even if some courses are rigorous, they are ultimately rewarding.”

And when asked to finish the sentence, “UC Berkeley Extension’s Certificate Program in Personal Financial Planning helped me ___,” she responded with conviction: “UC Berkeley Extension’s Personal Financial Planning certificate helped me strengthen both my technical skills and ability to communicate with confidence.”

Teresa’s Structured Curriculum

Survey of Personal Financial Planning
Employment Benefits and Retirement Planning
Insurance in Personal Financial Planning
Real Estate Investments for Financial Planners
Investments in Personal Financial Planning: General Principles and Methods
Behavioral Finance
Estate Planning
Income Taxes and Personal Financial Planning
Personal Financial Planning Capstone