What A Senior Investment Manager At A Global Investment Management Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Investment Management Industry
Vasant's career path wasn't linear, highlighting that a finance background isn't essential; "hunger," "aptitude," and "humility" are key traits for success, surpassing the importance of a specific academic background. The most insightful part is the emphasis on these less-traditional qualities—demonstrating ambition and a willingness to learn from mistakes—as crucial for entry into the investment management field.
Career Exploration, Career Development, Motivation, Overcoming Challenges, Industry Realities
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. There are many people in this field who come from a wide range of backgrounds, not just business or finance majors.
2. To enter the investment industry, hunger, ambition, aptitude for learning, and humility are key, more so than a specific degree.
3. A finance or business degree isn't strictly required for a career in investment management; diverse backgrounds are welcome, and it's possible to enter the field even without prior knowledge of its existence.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before entering the industry?
As I mentioned at the outset, my career development from college to where I am today wasn't a direct line. There was quite a bit of exploration.
Some of that exploration is related to the fact that I didn't even know this role existed or that it was open to people like me. When I was an undergrad, I always thought finance was for business or finance majors. I had no idea that somebody in social sciences or studying political science could enter this field until later on.
Although it doesn't hurt to have a finance or business degree, many people in this field come from a wide range of backgrounds and subject matters studied as undergraduates. So, I think that should be less of a focus.
What really matters more if you're looking for entry into this industry is hunger. You need to show ambition and the drive that you really want to be in this sector. You need to show aptitude, the ability to learn and move forward.
And you need to show a little bit of humility as well, that you may be wrong and that you're going to make mistakes but constantly learn. I think those are the key things I wish I had known ahead of time.