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Edwin, Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn: Advize Career Interview

A career in emerging market sovereign debt, as detailed by Abrdn's Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt, offers a dynamic and globally-focused path.

The journey, beginning with a UC Berkeley education and a master's from Georgetown, highlights the importance of intellectual curiosity, strong quantitative skills, and deep understanding of political and economic landscapes.

A day in this role involves constant monitoring of global news, client interaction, and travel, providing unique insights gained through firsthand experience in diverse markets.

The interviewee emphasizes the crucial role of historical context, cultural awareness, and even mathematical abilities, showcasing how a background in political economy or social sciences can translate into a rewarding career.

Success, according to the interviewee, requires passion for emerging markets, extending beyond financial gain and potentially including involvement with relevant nonprofits.

The interviewee's personal journey, influenced by Filipino American heritage, further underscores the value of diverse perspectives in this field, demonstrating how unique backgrounds can enrich both the professional and personal experiences.

Finally, Abrdn's graduate program offers a potential entry point, highlighting a structured path for aspiring professionals.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Edwin Gutierrez

Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt

Abrdn

UC Berkeley

MS Foreign Service, Georgetown University

Political Science, American Studies

Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)

Finance

Honors Student

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Career Path of a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn

Edwin's career path began after graduating from UC Berkeley in 1994, leading to a master's degree from Georgetown and a serendipitous entry into asset management in San Francisco, focusing on emerging markets. The Russia crisis prompted a move to London, where, "26 years later, I'm still in London," maintaining a focus on emerging markets throughout a career marked by company changes but unwavering geographical and professional commitment.

Career Path of a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn

Main Responsibilities of a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn

Edwin, Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn, manages portfolios of government bonds from countries spanning Asia to Latin America for clients globally, involving "analyzing global events and news flow" and liaising with local contacts and colleagues to inform investment decisions. This includes significant client interaction and travel, although the latter has lessened with increased experience.

Main Responsibilities of a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn

A Day In The Life Of A Head Of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt At Abrdn

Edwin's role as Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn involves a dynamic, globally-focused schedule, "extremely varied" and operating "more like 21/5" due to the diverse market timings. This necessitates constant monitoring of global news and client needs across numerous regions, from early morning interactions with the Singapore office to lunchtime engagement with Latin American markets.

A Day In The Life Of A Head Of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt At Abrdn

Most Important Skills for a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn

Edwin, Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn, prioritizes "intellectual curiosity" above all else when hiring, looking for evidence of this through travel, foreign languages, and diverse experiences, as he believes this "you can't teach". Beyond this crucial trait, strong quantitative skills, political and economic acumen, historical context knowledge, and familiarity with local cultures are also highly valued.

Most Important Skills for a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn

Favorite Parts of Being a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn

Edwin, Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn, most enjoys the "essential part" of his job: traveling to emerging markets to gain firsthand insights. This includes "conversations with everyday people," enabling a deeper understanding of local politics and economics beyond official government views, shaping investment strategies.

Favorite Parts of Being a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn

Biggest Challenges Of A Head Of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt At Abrdn

Edwin, Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn, finds the "people management aspect" most challenging, citing insufficient training and the difficulty of transitioning from portfolio management to leading a team, especially during tough economic times impacting compensation. The "least favorite day of the year" is when Edwin must communicate bonus information, highlighting the added pressure of supporting younger team members facing rising living costs and potentially lower earning potential than previous generations.

Biggest Challenges Of A Head Of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt At Abrdn

Favorite Parts of Working in the Emerging Markets Industry as a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt

Edwin, Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn, most enjoys "learning about new countries and cultures," building a global network of colleagues and friends from diverse backgrounds like "Hungary, Russia, Brazil, China," and gaining unique perspectives on global events, especially from the "Global South." This provides invaluable insights into their field and fosters a rich, multicultural work environment.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Emerging Markets Industry as a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Emerging Markets Industry, According To A Head Of Emerging Markets Debt At Abrdn

Edwin, Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn, highlights that success in this industry hinges on "intellectual curiosity" and a genuine "passion about emerging markets," extending beyond financial gain. This passion often manifests in involvement with nonprofits focused on these regions, a key differentiator from other investment sectors, according to Edwin.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Emerging Markets Industry, According To A Head Of Emerging Markets Debt At Abrdn

What a Fixed Income Head at Abrdn Wishes They Knew Before Finance

Edwin, Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn, discovered the crucial need for "good quantitative and math skills" in the fixed-income industry, a fact not initially apparent; this realization led Edwin to suggest that a stronger mathematical foundation would be beneficial for aspiring professionals in this field.

What a Fixed Income Head at Abrdn Wishes They Knew Before Finance

Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Investment Professionals at Abrdn

Abrdn's graduate program offers a two-year rotational program with "meaningful work," allowing recent graduates to explore asset management and the firm to assess fit; the program is preceded by internships, providing a crucial vetting process for potential hires.

Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Investment Professionals at Abrdn

Career Lesson From a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn

Edwin's most significant career lesson is that "one really doesn't truly understand what one is investing in until you've lost money in it," forcing a crucial self-assessment of assumptions and missed factors, although this learning process requires a delicate balance to avoid career-ending losses.

Career Lesson From a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn

College Experiences That Helped a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn Succeed

Edwin's political economy major provided a crucial foundation for a career in emerging market sovereign debt, exemplified by his undergraduate exploration of the "Lost Decade" in Latin America and its global economic ramifications. This deep understanding of historical context, as seen in his analysis of the Philippines' unique political and economic structure, proves invaluable in navigating the complexities of international finance.

College Experiences That Helped a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn's Career

Edwin's Filipino American heritage provides unique insight into emerging markets, particularly the impact of historical legacies like Spanish colonialism on economic development; the resulting patterns of emigration and remittances, as Edwin notes, "keeping families' consumption levels," are crucial factors in understanding investment opportunities in countries such as the Philippines, India, and Kenya.

How Identity Has Influenced a Head of Emerging Market Sovereign Debt at Abrdn's Career
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