Stock Market Competition
Gain Practical Experience in Stock Trading and Expand Financial Literacy
About Us
Join UC Irvine’s Stock Market Competition (SMC), presented by the Center for Investment and Wealth Management (CIWM) and the Financial Literacy Association (FLA)! This competition gives all undergraduates the chance to engage in hands-on stock trading while enhancing their financial literacy. Students of all experience levels are encouraged to participate. The top 10 competitors and their stock portfolios will battle for a spot in the final three and the chance to win exciting cash prizes!
Workshop Overview
Workshop locations will be announced on Instagram (@fla.uci) prior to each session and will take place in a room within the Paul Merage School of Business.
Week 1
September 30, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:30pm
SMC (Stock Market Competition) Orientation
Week 2
October 7, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:00pm
Beginning Investing
Week 3
October 14, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:00pm
Speaker Event: Recruiting in Finance
Week 4
October 21, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:00pm
Workshop: Crypto & Blockchain
Week 5
October 28, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:00pm
Study Social & StockTrak Q&A
Week 6
November 4, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:00pm
FLA x CIWM Event
Week 8
November 18, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:00pm
Workshop: Long-term Investing & Retirement
Week 9
November 25, 2025 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Speaker Event: Wealth Management
Week 10
December 3, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:00pm
Workshop: Real-World Investing
Resources for Participants
SMC Testimonials
I joined the Stock Market Competition (SMC) because I wanted to learn more about how to manage my money and make smarter investing decisions. I knew there was more to it than just putting everything into the S&P 500, but I wasn’t sure where to begin. The SMC ended up being a great experience that really opened my eyes to the world of investing and personal finance. Before starting, I only had a basic idea about stocks and ETFs—pretty much just putting money into the S&P 500 and hoping for the best. But the SMC gave me the chance to learn hands-on and become much more comfortable with investing and managing my finances.
As I went through the competition, I started applying what I learned from the Financial Literacy Association (FLA) workshops. These workshops were super helpful—they introduced me to new things like bonds, diversified ETFs like SCHD and DIA, and even some more specific investments like BETZ, a sports gambling ETF, and GLD, an ETF that tracks gold. One of my favorite moments was when I decided to invest in BETZ right before the NBA playoffs, and it ended up gaining about 5%. Another cool moment was when I learned about diversifying my portfolio, so I bought some GLD and saw it rise by 10%.
Overall, both the SMC and FLA really made investing and personal finance feel approachable and exciting. The SMC and FLA helped me become more confident in managing my money and more serious about my financial future.
Richard Nguyen
2025 SMC Winner
The FLA’s Stock Market Competition was an incredible opportunity and a great learning experience. As an international student from Hong Kong, I have always been somewhat interested in the stock market, and my family would regularly tell me about financial responsibility and the value of investing money.
However, I had never looked into real investing; as a history major, I probably don’t fit the usual perception of who would be interested. But, after hearing about the SMC during the Winter Quarter of my first year, I signed up to get started with my investing journey. The workshops covered investing strategies, best practices with money, and investing outside of the markets, boosting my financial literacy. The simulation itself also allowed me to gain practical experience in a safe space, and see how real markets and investors reacted and adapted to conditions. This was especially interesting over the March-May 2025 timeframe, which saw a lot of worldwide volatility. From both the simulation and the workshops, I learned a lot about what to do, even more about what not to do, and how politics and world events can shape the economic world.
The Stock Market Competition was a golden opportunity for me to learn more about money, improve my financial literacy, and experiment with safe stock market investing! Thanks to the FLA’s workshops and my experiences with the SMC, I now have a solid plan for my finances and savings over the next few years.
Hugo Lai
2025 SMC Winner
Sponsors
Financial Literacy Association Board
Mason Chen
President
My experience with FLA started when I had the opportunity to intern for their board as a freshman. While attending the board meetings, I felt a connection to how passionate they all were about teaching this important life skill to students of all backgrounds. Now, coming into my third year, I am glad I can continue to help teach other students the skills needed to grow their personal wealth. Although our board comes from a diverse background, I have found a community here where we can consistently meet and work together to reach this goal.
Benedict Nguyen
Vice President
I wanted to be a part of FLA because it was an opportunity to promote the importance of financial education. The organization supported my passion for finance and now, I am part of the board so that I can play a role in sharing the value of economic well-being. Through this role, I hope to inspire others to build stronger financial confidence for their future..
Alexander Myong
Member Relations
When I first joined FLA, I was greeted with open arms and treated with the utmost respect as a general member. The atmosphere FLA had cultivated which was warm and kind, yet professional and educational, motivated me to pursue a higher role within the organization. As the director of member relations for the 2025-2026 school year, I am excited to contribute to FLA’s mission to help other inquisitive students down a path they will truly cherish, and spreading the knowledge of individual financial gain.
Derek Yee
Director of External Relations
I first became interested in financial literacy and career development through a previous club experience, where I led both a financial literacy workshop and a résumé workshop. These opportunities showed me how rewarding it is to help others grow in their careers and gain confidence in their financial decisions. Joining the Financial Literacy Association has allowed me to continue that passion; creating opportunities, sharing knowledge, and building a supportive community. My experience with FLA has been truly meaningful, as I’ve had the chance to work alongside peers who are equally committed to making a positive impact. I’m excited to keep contributing to the club and supporting its mission of empowering students through financial education.
Chole Chun
Director of Marketing
I first joined FLA as a freshman general member and was immediately welcomed into a community that helped me grow academically, professionally, and personally. Through FLA, I developed a solid understanding of personal finance while building lasting connections. As a board member, I look forward to continuing FLA’s mission of empowering students with financial literacy and fostering the same supportive environment that shaped my journey.
Khang Nguyen
Director of Finance
I first joined FLA because I wanted to learn more about personal finance and how to invest smarter. Ever since I joined, the board has made me feel welcome, and I quickly found a community of people who shared the same passion for learning and finance. One of my favorite experiences was the Stock Market Competition, which not only taught me a lot but also showed me how fun and engaging finance can be when you’re surrounded by supportive peers. Now as a board member, I want to create that same environment and help support FLA’s mission of educating students about personal finance.
Richard Nguyen
Professional Development
My first experience with FLA was at their booth during a Business Organizations Fair at Merage. I was introduced to people who were not only passionate about finance but also enthusiastic about helping others. What stood out to me was how dedicated the FLA leaders were to teaching. The dedication and willingness to go out of their way to share financial knowledge with other students left a strong impression on me. What I learned from FLA has been both useful and lasting. From their workshops and events, I truly believe FLA has helped students like myself make better decisions for their futures. That inspiration is what motivated me to join the board, where I hope to give back to the UCI community and continue FLA’s mission of helping students strengthen their financial literacy and empower them to create a better future for themselves.
Lesley Pham
Director of Marketing
I joined FLA after discovering their booth at a business organization fair, and immediately resonated with their mission on making financial literacy more accessible. Growing up in a low-income household, I saw firsthand how daunting managing finances can be without the right resources or knowledge. Through this organization, I was able to find a supportive community where everyone is passionate about equipping students with the tools to take control of their financial futures. As a new board member, it’s been incredibly motivating to collaborate alongside individuals with varied backgrounds who are united by a common goal. I am eager to help make financial education something students not only understand but feel confident and enthusiastic about.
Paul Jacobsen
Professional Development
I decided to join the Finance Literacy Association after seeing the impact it makes in helping students navigate the complex field of finance. Since becoming part of the board, I have found a strong community of like-minded individuals who are eager to expand their knowledge and experience. As a member of the board, I hope to continue growing alongside FLA while creating opportunities for students to learn and connect with one another in ways that are both socially enriching and career-building. I am excited to contribute to FLA’s mission and look forward to seeing the organization’s growth in the years ahead.
Contact Us
Todd and Lisa Halbrook Center for Investment and Wealth Management
ciwm@merage.uci.edu
949.824.2675
Discord
