Ann Analyst, Private Wealth Management Investment Management division, Hong Kong
One thing that amazed me was how everyone seemed to know and greet one another in the corridor, and seemed excited to discuss their work. It did not take me long to figure out how close and intertwined our network is.
Background
When I was a child growing up in Hong Kong, I dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur. I went to the US for my college education, and those four years abroad have helped me to create a strong sense of identity and to appreciate globalization. Upon graduation, I wanted to embark on a career in a global organization that would give me the exposure to understand Asia businesses. I believe that there is no better place than Private Wealth Management to learn about the exciting companies in our region and the people creating them. I am witnessing the benefits of globalization in a dynamic organization and city.
Economics and mathematics were the main areas of my studies and I find my academic background most relevant to my day-to-day work at Goldman Sachs. My education continues every day as we get to know our clients and provide solutions to their risk management and investment needs. At the same time, my quantitative training has equipped me with the ability to comprehend complex trading ideas and to manage sophisticated client relationships.
The Interview Process
A financial background does not seem to me a prerequisite to succeed in the firm, but I think it’s important to have a passion for the people side of the business and the ability to grasp new concepts quickly.
Getting Started at Goldman Sachs
I was overwhelmed on my first day. Everyone looked very bright and energetic, and I was excited to know that I would soon be part of this community. One thing that amazed me was how everyone seemed to know and greet one another in the corridor, and seemed excited to discuss their work. It did not take me long to figure out how close and intertwined our network is.
Career Development
As a financial analyst in Private Wealth Management, I see myself on the path to becoming an investment professional. Financial analysts support salespeople, but more importantly, we take responsibility early on to build and preserve our clients’ financial wealth. After riding the tides of the financial cycle, they are more prudent today about their investment decisions and more focused on risk implications, I believe that has made our role as advisors more important than ever, and I believe I am getting the training I need to succeed as I move along my career path.
Ultimately, my vision is to become a socially responsible entrepreneur. When I was still in college, I participated in various socially responsible entrepreneurship business case competitions. I realized that most of the ideas we came up with were very creative but impractical. Therefore, in order to build an impactful and sustainable business, I believe that it is most important for me to acquire strong execution and organization skills, perseverance and a strong network. Goldman Sachs provides me with the ideal environment to start my career and work towards this long-term career goal.
Giving Back
Working at Goldman Sachs requires a very high degree of commitment and the willingness to work long hours, especially at the junior level when the learning curve is relatively steep. Outside of work, I have been active in participating in various charity groups in the community. I organized a volunteering trip to Sichuan for twenty US university students after the earthquake. The responsibilities we had—to liaise with local Chinese officials, arrange safety plans and organize fundraising initiatives—have been challenging. I am very proud of our accomplishments, as the experience has made an impact on all the volunteers and families that we served.
The organization skills and the network I have built while working here have significantly helped me with my efficiency and time management skills. I look to continue serving the community outside of my professional life and leveraging my career network to make a greater impact in the community.