Feel like I’m stagnating in my current role and not learning much, any advice (long post)?

Feeling Stuck in My Current Role—Looking for Advice (Long Post)

Hi everyone,

I work in the asset management division of a large bank, but my role isn’t solely focused on portfolio management or advisory. I mainly adhere to the directives from our Chief Investment Officer and follow strict investment policies for our accounts. We have a dedicated internal team responsible for manager research, approval of investment options, portfolio construction, and so on. In my spare time, I often explore that side of the business to broaden my understanding.

My responsibilities blend relationship management with operational tasks related to my accounts. Each quarter, I connect with a handful of clients regarding their portfolios, which include various UMA/SMA accounts, treasury ladders, and standard 70/30 accounts. I actively manage trades and rebalancing throughout the year to keep everything aligned with their Investment Policy Statements and our best insights. Some of my accounts are discretionary, and I’ve had success managing them in line with their performance benchmarks.

While I appreciate the quarterly reviews where I discuss performance and market trends with clients, I often find that my role feels somewhat limited. The most rewarding moments come when a client wants to revisit their IPS or strategy, allowing me to dive deep and present my recommendations for reallocating their investments.

I’m thankful for the responsibilities I’ve taken on at just 25 years old, especially managing my own client book, which has significantly boosted my confidence. I’m on track to break the $100k compensation mark by my third year, and I enjoy a great work-life balance. However, I’m concerned about stagnating because most of my tasks lean heavily towards relationship management and operational trading. I feel like I could contribute more, but I’m unsure how to go about it.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to advance in a role like mine or how to transition my skill set into different positions within finance? One potential path I’m considering is moving to a local private wealth management firm to work alongside a seasoned advisor, as that aligns with my interests. Any insights would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

It sounds like you’re in a pivotal moment in your career, and it’s great that you’re seeking to learn and grow. Here are some suggestions to help you break out of stagnation and find more fulfillment in your current role or transition to new opportunities:

1. Expand Your Skill Set Internally:

Request More Responsibilities: Approach your manager and express your desire to take on more complex projects or responsibilities. You might ask to shadow colleagues in manager research or portfolio construction to learn more about those areas.
Cross-Department Collaboration: Volunteer to assist in projects with other teams, whether it’s in research, trading, or compliance. This can provide broader exposure to the business and enrich your understanding.

2. Leverage Mentorship:

Find a Mentor: Seek out someone within your organization who has experience in the areas you’re interested in. They can provide valuable insights, guidance, and may even offer opportunities to get involved in their projects.
Networking: Build relationships with people in different roles or departments. They can offer perspectives on their work and may help you identify opportunities to transition later on.

3. Continuous Learning:

Professional Development: Consider enrolling in courses or certifications that align with areas of interest, such as CFA, CIMA, or CFP. This not only enhances your skills but also shows your commitment to growth.
Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on industry trends and best practices. Subscribing to finance journals, attending webinars, or joining professional groups can help you gain new insights.

4. Consider Transitioning:

Explore Other Roles: If you’re feeling stagnant, perhaps explore entry-level roles at local private wealth management firms where you can gain experience under seasoned advisors. Prepare a tailored resume highlighting transferable skills.
Think Long-Term: Reflect on your goals—do you want to stay in asset management, or are you open to broader finance roles? Identifying long-term goals can help guide your current decisions.

5. Set Personal Challenges:

Pitching Strategies: Since you enjoy discussing strategy changes with clients, consider creating your own mini-projects — analyze hypothetical portfolios or investment strategies and present them to your peers or supervisor for feedback.
Personal Branding: Start sharing your insights on platforms like LinkedIn. Writing about market trends or your learnings can position you as knowledgeable and passionate about investments.

6. Work-Life Balance:

Leverage your WLB: Make good use of your work-life balance by dedicating some time to personal finance projects or initiatives that excite you outside of your main job.

Your proactive approach to your career is commendable, and with targeted efforts, you can definitely move beyond your current role. Keep cultivating your interests, leveraging internal resources, and seeking out new opportunities. Good luck, and remember that growth often takes time and intentionality!

One response

APAdmin

26 March 2025 at 2:22 PM
It sounds like you’re in a pivotal moment in your career, and it’s great that you’re seeking to learn and grow. Here are some suggestions to help you break out of stagnation and find more fulfillment in your current role or transition to new opportunities:

1. Expand Your Skill Set Internally:
- Request More Responsibilities: Approach your manager and express your desire to take on more complex projects or responsibilities. You might ask to shadow colleagues in manager research or portfolio construction to learn more about those areas.
- Cross-Department Collaboration: Volunteer to assist in projects with other teams, whether it’s in research, trading, or compliance. This can provide broader exposure to the business and enrich your understanding.
2. Leverage Mentorship:
- Find a Mentor: Seek out someone within your organization who has experience in the areas you’re interested in. They can provide valuable insights, guidance, and may even offer opportunities to get involved in their projects.
- Networking: Build relationships with people in different roles or departments. They can offer perspectives on their work and may help you identify opportunities to transition later on.
3. Continuous Learning:
- Professional Development: Consider enrolling in courses or certifications that align with areas of interest, such as CFA, CIMA, or CFP. This not only enhances your skills but also shows your commitment to growth.
- Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on industry trends and best practices. Subscribing to finance journals, attending webinars, or joining professional groups can help you gain new insights.
4. Consider Transitioning:
- Explore Other Roles: If you’re feeling stagnant, perhaps explore entry-level roles at local private wealth management firms where you can gain experience under seasoned advisors. Prepare a tailored resume highlighting transferable skills.
- Think Long-Term: Reflect on your goals—do you want to stay in asset management, or are you open to broader finance roles? Identifying long-term goals can help guide your current decisions.
5. Set Personal Challenges:
- Pitching Strategies: Since you enjoy discussing strategy changes with clients, consider creating your own mini-projects — analyze hypothetical portfolios or investment strategies and present them to your peers or supervisor for feedback.
- Personal Branding: Start sharing your insights on platforms like LinkedIn. Writing about market trends or your learnings can position you as knowledgeable and passionate about investments.
6. Work-Life Balance:
- Leverage your WLB: Make good use of your work-life balance by dedicating some time to personal finance projects or initiatives that excite you outside of your main job.
Your proactive approach to your career is commendable, and with targeted efforts, you can definitely move beyond your current role. Keep cultivating your interests, leveraging internal resources, and seeking out new opportunities. Good luck, and remember that growth often takes time and intentionality!
Log in to Reply