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.
Emerging Markets, International Affairs, Asset Management, Career Resilience, Global Finance
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
Video Highlights
1. He pursued a Master's in International Affairs at Georgetown University after graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in political economy, demonstrating the value of further education in this field.
2. His career started in asset management focusing on emerging markets in San Francisco, showcasing the importance of gaining practical experience early on.
3. He relocated to London for his career, highlighting the global nature of the asset management industry and the potential for international opportunities.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college and any internships or jobs you had before your current role?
I graduated from UC Berkeley in 1994 with a degree in political economy. Back in the early 1990s, the California economy wasn't great, so I was a bit scared of joining the working world.
I decided to apply for master's programs in international affairs. My first choice was Georgetown, and I ended up going to their School of Foreign Service. After two years, I graduated.
At the suggestion of my girlfriend at the time, I looked for a job back in California. I managed to get a position in San Francisco in asset management, focusing on emerging markets. After a couple of years, our industry experienced a significant crisis, the first Russia crisis.
Around the same time, my company was acquired. The new company informed me that if I wanted to continue in emerging markets, I would need to move to London. I thought it was a great opportunity and told my parents I'd be there for two or three years.
Twenty-six years later, I'm still in London. I've changed companies a few times, but London is where I've stayed. My children were born here, and this is likely where I will retire. I'm still working in emerging markets.