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Video Introduction
Major: Finance
Job Title: Investment Analyst
Company: Pathstone
Company Description: Multi-Family Office serving ultra high net worth families ($110B assets under management)
Did you have any initial career goals when you entered Isenberg? Were there any key moments or influences (a guest speaker, course, or extracurricular) during your time at Isenberg that changed or confirmed your career goals?
When I arrived at Isenberg as a Finance major, my career goal was to work in investment banking without exactly knowing what that meant. The biggest influences on me during my time at Isenberg were my classmates. I soon learned that there are many other areas of financial services beyond investment banking that can appeal to someone’s unique interests. At Isenberg, we are all truly fortunate to meet and learn from genuine, honest students of various backgrounds. There is something to learn from one of our classmates and their unique stories. This diversity of perspective is a tremendous asset to all Isenberg students.
Can you share a favorite work assignment that could help a student understand more about what you do?
My favorite work assignment so far was analyzing a prospective investment into a healthy cookie company.
Now that you’re in this position, what aspects have surprised you that you didn’t anticipate before starting?
We often hear that it is important to have a passion for what you do for work. Since starting my position, I can now appreciate why we are taught that. The amount of hours spent in an office can be a shock to the system for a recent graduate. It is so important to enjoy those hours at the office, or at least some of them! Nobody ever won a Nobel prize in something that they hate doing.
What inspires you about the work you are doing in your industry?
The job of an investment analyst is to support the most efficient use of a client’s investment capital. Often times, this entails evaluating a venture deal or a startup looking for seed funding. Facilitating an investment into the business of a creative, disruptive, and innovative entrepreneur is very rewarding. America’s startup ecosystem is a pillar of our economy and our democracy. Supporting that ecosystem in any way is exciting and rewarding.
What are some daily challenges you experience in your role?
At any given moment, there are many different tasks that an investment analyst could be working on – Multiple assignments are live at the same time; There is always more research that could be done into any given assignment; Questions and emails from prior assignments trickle in throughout the day; Etc. However, the job of an investment analyst is to determine which task is most pressing, what analysis is necessary what analysis is redundant or an inefficient use of time. This is a balance that I am always working to improve.
Is there anything you wish you had done differently while a student at Isenberg?
Ultimately, we attend college so that we can work in a job that we enjoy. Classwork is obviously important, but should not take precedence over networking or career exploration. Always be networking or meeting people whenever possible. Meet people and hear their story – there is something to learn from everyone.
Networking is extremely important but can be intimidating to undergraduates. What tips do you have for getting started engaging with alum or upperclassmen?
When in doubt, reach out. Contact people who interest you. Do not be intimidated by anybody, no matter their rank. They were in our shoes once. Expect many people to not reply. But do not let this discourage you. People are busy with their own lives and often do not have time to respond to messages. Keep in mind, though, that you only need to be right once. You only need one strong connection to make a difference in your career – and the next message you send could lead to that connection.
