What if you had invested $1 in Nvidia several years ago? What about $10,000?
For a group of Miami-Dade high school students visiting Florida International University's College of Business, the question offered a glimpse into how investing works, and how financial decisions made today can shape their futures.
The exercise was part of I am C², a college and career readiness program hosted November 4, 2026 by the Truist-FIU Financial Wellness Clinic. Approximately 200 students gathered at FIU Business for a day of interactive sessions exploring financial aid, scholarships, investing, entrepreneurship and emerging career opportunities.
Supported by Truist, the clinic is helping bring financial education to young people across Miami-Dade County, connecting classroom lessons with real-world decisions about credit, debt, investing and paying for college.
For Alfredo Ball-Llovera (BA ’12), an Academy of Finance teacher at Coral Gables Senior High School who has participated in the program for four or five years, the investing exercise demonstrated how even a simple example can spark curiosity.
"That stuff is memorable to them," Ball-Llovera said. "That stuff really works and it connects with them, and then they start thinking about it. Hey, how can we learn more about this?"
Ball-Llovera accompanied approximately 40 students from his school to this year's event. He said the experience gives students an opportunity to explore the university environment while learning about the decisions that lie ahead.
"I'm always fielding questions after on the way back home," he said. "This is a great experience for them."
Financial education beyond campus
The I am C² event is one component of a broader effort by the Truist-FIU Financial Wellness Clinic to expand financial education among Miami-Dade high school students.
"This is not an extracurricular activity, we're actually sending our Truist Fellows into the classrooms during instructional times, which makes it even more important," said Flavio Carrillo, director of the Truist-FIU Financial Wellness Clinic and associate teaching professor.
Since its inception in 2021, the initiative has reached 14,650 high school students, with 14 FIU students serving as Truist Fellows and helping deliver financial literacy instruction.
Through an arrangement with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FIU's Truist Fellows can enter participating high school classrooms, making financial education part of the students' school day rather than an optional extracurricular activity.
The lessons address financial decisions students may soon face, from opening their first credit card to understanding student loans and developing responsible borrowing habits.
For Jhon Diaz (BBA '23, MBA '25), an Academy of Finance magnet lead teacher at Coral Gables Senior High School and FIU alumnus, those lessons can have lasting consequences.
Many teenagers, he explained, have limited experience managing credit and may not understand the financial obligations that accompany borrowing.
"Understanding financial literacy is very important for the growth and for the future," Diaz said.
The goal is to help students develop that understanding before they encounter major financial decisions, giving them a stronger foundation as they pursue college, careers and financial independence.
FIU students paying it forward
FIU Truist Fellow Alejandro Noriega explains why the program means so much to him.
The program also creates opportunities for FIU Business students to share their knowledge with younger students while developing their own teaching, communication and leadership skills.
Alejandro Noriega, a senior majoring in business analytics and finance and a Truist Fellow, sees the experience as an opportunity to provide the financial education he wishes he had received in high school.
"To me, it's about passing it forward," Noriega said. "I wish I had the opportunity to take a financial literacy course in high school to be able to give that forward to the next generation, to give them the resources to make the best decision possible, is something that very fulfilling."
Noriega said conversations with students frequently address the misconceptions surrounding debt. While borrowing carries risks, he encourages students to understand the difference between taking on unnecessary debt and using credit responsibly to invest in their education or future.
"We cover the whole credit landscape: opening a credit card, taking on student loans," he said.
“It's important to talk about the risks that go with that."
Those conversations are particularly meaningful to Noriega, a Miami native who values the opportunity to give back to his community.
"The most rewarding aspect is to be able to give back to Miami," he said.
Opening doors to new opportunities
During the I am C² event, students also heard from FIU representatives about college admissions, scholarships and financial aid, including the resources available to help make higher education more affordable.
Other sessions introduced students to opportunities in artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship, including how emerging tools can help aspiring entrepreneurs build websites, launch businesses and explore new ways of generating income.
For many participants, the visit also offered a firsthand look at college life through conversations with FIU students and a tour of the College of Business.
The experience reflects the Truist-FIU Financial Wellness Clinic's broader mission: making financial knowledge more accessible and helping young people develop the confidence to make informed decisions about their futures.
With Truist's support, the initiative has extended its reach beyond the university, connecting FIU students and educators with the next generation of Miami-Dade students.
Participating schools included William Turner Technical Arts High School, Coral Gables Senior High School, Hialeah Gardens Senior High School, Barbara Goleman Senior High School, Miami Lakes Educational Center and Miami Central Senior High School.