What A Portfolio Manager At An Investment Firm Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Financial Services Industry
Alexis, a COO/Portfolio Manager, advises aspiring professionals to temper their academic knowledge with the understanding that "experience really does matter" in the investment industry. The transition from textbook knowledge to real-world decision-making under pressure, as Alexis notes with "making that decision when emotions are high," necessitates a willingness to learn from others and avoid the pitfall of "hubris."
Industry Realities, Overcoming Challenges, Hard Truths, Real-World Examples, Executive/Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Alexis Browne
COO / Portfolio Manager
Registered Investment Advisor
Lehigh University 2020
N/A
Economics
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Strategic Management and Executive
Video Highlights
1. The importance of practical experience in the field cannot be overstated. Book knowledge is a great foundation, but real-world experience, such as navigating market fluctuations and making critical decisions under pressure, is invaluable and cannot be fully replicated in a classroom setting.
2. Humility and a willingness to learn from others are crucial. Entering the industry with the attitude that you already know everything will hinder your growth. Be open to learning from more experienced professionals and leverage their knowledge and stories.
3. Learning how to learn is a key skill. The ability to adapt your classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios and to continuously learn from your experiences and those of others is essential for success in this field.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered this industry?
I would say the main thing that I see students who go into my industry struggle with is the idea that many of them are very driven and very good at bookwork. But it's important to realize that we're still going to be new in an industry where experience really does matter.
You might think you know everything from a textbook. But then you experience that first market drop, you experience having to make a decision when emotions are high and kind of lead that part out. That's definitely very different than just having to read about it.
So, taking what you learned in the classroom and using that as an opportunity to learn how to learn is helpful. Leveraging your professors, many of whom may have experience with this, and learning from what's going on around you and the people around you is important. Don't have so much hubris that you think you already know everything, because I certainly don't.
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