Investment management career advice from industry veterans

Investment industry veterans’ somewhat gloomy outlook for Boston’s asset management firms prompted me to ask, what should the people in this room do to promote their careers? I asked this question during the Q&A session following “Where Are We Heading? The Future of Investment Management in Boston,” a June 24 panel presentation to the Boston Security Analysts Society’s annual meeting. You’ll find the panelists’ suggestions below.

Keep learning, said Donald H. Putnam, managing partner, Grail Partners LLC. As the role of technology accelerates, you can’t achieve the same outcomes as in the past using old skills. The great investors spend more time on their own skills as they get older, he added.

Take new challenges and learn new things, said Norton Reamer, vice-chairman and founder, Asset Management Finance LLC.

Be passionate about what you do, said Larry Hughes, CEO of BNY Mellon Wealth Management. If you don’t feel passionate, then find something else to do.

Focus on your trade, said Robert Manning, CEO. MFS Investment Management. If you’re good at what you do, you’ll find a job despite the industry trends.