Career Summary

Asset management is the business of taking a client's money and making money with that money. Asset managers manage other people's money. They convert that money into assets – Assets are stocks, bonds, and other types of investments. Asset managers have one simple goal: to invest other people's money wisely and profitably.

Asset managers use a combination of investment theory, market experience, research, and sometimes plain dumb luck to pick investments for their clients. The investments can range from high-risk stocks to commercial real estate.

How some asset managers get their start:

Sell-side investment research: Sell side is a term used in financial markets. It refers to firms that take orders from the Buy side firms and then process the orders. Many buy-side (asset managers) investment professionals come form the sell-side. It is a great place to learn how to do analysis, generate financial models and construct investment reports. The skills and knowledge of the overall investment business makes former sell-side people highly desirable to asset management firms.

Anther way asset managers get their start after obtaining a degree:

Large financial management firms typically have back-office operation teams. The teams process the investment trades done by portfolio managers. Here they learn about the process of the industry. In general, the positions include mutual fund accounting, trade confirmation, report processing. This is the best place to use your networking skills to advance your career.