How Identity Has Influenced a Portfolio Manager's Career At A Private Bank
James, a portfolio manager, reflects on the advantages afforded to him as a white male, acknowledging that "white males have...been handed so many things." This recognition fuels a commitment to mentoring and supporting others, regardless of background, in overcoming systemic injustices and achieving career success, believing that "individuals take responsibility for overturning...injustices."
Mentorship, Equity, Responsibility, Career Development, Overcoming Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
James A Vogl
Portfolio Manager
Private Bank
Iowa State University 2006
MBA, Ucla Anderson school management, full-time program 2013; masters of education at Millikin University, 2008
History, Art History
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
Video Highlights
1. James's career success has provided him with a unique perspective on systemic injustice and a sense of responsibility to help others.
2. He emphasizes the importance of mentoring and providing opportunities for those from less privileged backgrounds.
3. He advocates for individual responsibility in addressing systemic inequalities to achieve true equity and fairness within the workplace.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a white male, how has that impacted how you navigate your career?
That's terrible. I think white males have been handed so many things in this world.
I had a really transformational experience seeing successful people of color, people less advantaged than I am by nature of how I look and where I was born, become incredibly successful. I feel a responsibility to help folks who want to seek out help and get it.
If that means extra education and mentoring people into roles where they can have that kind of impact, absolutely. I feel like I was born a few steps ahead of a lot of people, just by luck.
So I think I inherently have a responsibility to help those who look like me and those who don't, to do more, or to help them find career paths that make sense for them and give them my perspective. It's a responsibility we all have because systemic injustices exist all over. Unless individuals take responsibility for overturning those injustices, we're not going to see true equity.
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