Favorite Parts Of Working In The Investment Industry As A Senior Investment Manager
Vasant, a Senior Investment Manager, finds the most rewarding aspect of the industry to be "the constant learning," requiring deep dives into company operations, assessing their trajectory within the broader economic and geopolitical landscape, and engaging in a "virtuous circle" of knowledge exchange with colleagues. This continuous intellectual stimulation, akin to "being a student," is what drives their passion for the work.
Financial Analysis, Economics, Problem-Solving, Critical Thinking, Global Awareness
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Vasant Mehta
Senior Investment Manager
Global Investment Management Company
U.C. Berkeley
Johns Hopkins University : M.A. International Economics and European Studies
Political Science, American Studies
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. Constant learning and problem-solving: The role involves continuous learning and critical thinking to analyze companies, assess their performance, and predict their future trajectory, similar to academic pursuits.
2. Interdisciplinary approach: The work requires a holistic understanding of business operations, economics, and geopolitical factors, creating a dynamic and engaging experience.
3. Collaborative environment: The job fosters a collaborative learning environment where professionals share insights and contribute to each other's growth, creating a virtuous cycle of learning and development.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your industry?
What I enjoy most about the industry is the constant learning. In some ways, it reminds me of being a student in undergrad. You're always trying to make sense of the world and assess what's taking place.
When looking at things as an investment manager in corporate bonds, you examine companies at the individual level. You try to understand what's happening with a business and why, especially concerning its operations. Is the business successful? Is it in dire straits and needs financial restructuring?
If restructuring is needed, you investigate how it got there and what the problems were. Most importantly, you try to figure out where the business is going. Is it succeeding and will it continue to succeed in the foreseeable future, and if so, why? What's the risk that this thesis is wrong?
If the business is in trouble, you identify what led to that situation and what could potentially help it recover. You also assess how feasible those recovery measures are. This requires a deep dive.
Against that backdrop is the wider economic environment in which the business operates. You need to understand how that interacts with the company-specific work you're doing. You consider the broader economic forces, like the economic cycle, whether it's in an expansion or contraction phase.
You also analyze what policymakers are doing in terms of supporting the economic cycle, whether through monetary or fiscal policy. Additionally, you assess geopolitical risks that might arise globally.
So, you are constantly learning and interacting with people who contribute to your learning, which I find very useful. You also contribute to their learning by sharing your own insights and thoughts about the companies you're analyzing. There's a nice, virtuous circle of constant learning that I enjoy a lot.