Michelle Onorio - First Investors Corporation Careers

Michelle Onorio > First Investors Division Manager

"I am looking forward to growing my team one member at a time."

Advice to Others:

Make a commitment to yourself to succeed and never give up. Don't be afraid to take risks—the rewards are incredible!

Years With First Investors:

Prior Occupation:

Student

Growing up in Massachusetts, I was always involved in sports. I was never the best player on the team but I was always someone who tried her hardest at every practice and every game. I never gave up and I always wanted my team to win.

As I went through school I started to think about what I wanted to do when I grew up. I always knew that I wanted to do something that would allow my competitive spirit to shine, just as sports had done. I wanted a career where I could determine when I worked and how much money I made. I wanted to control my own destiny. The only problem—I didn't know what type of career would allow me to accomplish this.

I had more time to ponder my future career path as a student at Arizona State University. Never one to avoid risk or succumb to fear, I had decided to leave all of my friends and family on the East Coast and move 3,000 miles away. Looking back, it was the best decision I ever made because it led me to First Investors.

When I was a junior majoring in Finance, my goal that year was to obtain an internship at a financial services company. I hoped that such a position would help me decide what to do after college. I eventually received a phone call from an associate at First Investors inviting me to come in for an interview. I was ecstatic, and ended up accepting the internship.

Since I didn't know what a financial services representative did on a daily basis, I tried to soak up as much information as possible. I learned from the representatives that this business isn't easy at first, but it is simple. I also found that it takes a special kind of person to succeed in this business. You need to have a strong desire to help people—and to help yourself. You need to be competitive, as well as have a big heart. A person will become your client because they like you and want to work with you. Finally, I learned that you have to want success and you need to work hard to earn it. I quickly realized that First Investors was a company that I would be proud to work with, if given the opportunity.

After graduation, I moved back home to Massachusetts, signed on as a representative, and started my career. I experienced some success right out of the gate as I had a lot of personal contacts. I was very proud that I was able to really help my clients with their financial goals. To me, there is no greater feeling than knowing that because of me, a client will be in a better financial situation later on in his or her life. As I progressed in my career, I realized that I wanted to help not only my clients, but other representatives as well. I focused on training other representatives and was later promoted to Sales Supervisor.

In June 2007, I was promoted to Division Manager. I have been given an enormous opportunity to grow my own business. As a manager, I still rely on many of the lessons I learned as an athlete, except now I'm the coach! In the years ahead, I am looking forward to growing my team one member at a time. I believe we have what it takes to compete. I have a tremendous amount of respect and confidence in my team, and I look forward to seeing us become a top-ten office in the near future.

Recent times have been unnerving for individual investors. A severe recession, a steep stock market downturn, unprecedented volatility, and high-profile investment scam stories have damaged the public's confidence in our nation's financial institutions, and left people wondering what to do. This loss of trust and direction comes at a time when Americans are more responsible than ever for securing their own financial future.

First Investors can help individuals accomplish that goal. We have been in business since 1930, and have successfully navigated many difficult economic periods in our nation during that time. We understand that economic slumps and recoveries are inevitable...and we know how to help people plan for both.

Using a face-to-face approach to customer service, our registered representatives work with clients to establish a disciplined approach to achieving their long-term financial goals, whether they involve saving for a college education, purchasing a home, or building a retirement nest egg. We have more than 80 years of success stories, working with people from all walks of life.