Although I earned the CAIA designation over a year ago, my career trajectory has become more clear to me. I have identified what I want the next few years of my career to look like. I feel even more confident taking the steps to see out my goals by having the CAIA designation under my belt.
Diversity of thought is most apparent in a global professional organization. There is value in presenting a question or issue and being able to hear varying, well thought out perspectives. You also become connected to professionals who may have already taken a similar path to the one you are looking to take. Their perspective and experience can help you to figure out how to best navigate that path and stay focused. At the end of the day, each charter member has proven to have a solid work ethic, and those are the types of people you want to be around to better yourself.
I have had a few transformative experiences so far in my career. I would say that each experience reminds me how important it is to be a supportive manager and for you to feel like you are supported. You get the best out of people when they feel valued and heard. If it was not for the support of my managers and mentors at UBS, I would not have been given the opportunity to pursue the CAIA designation.
The advice I would give is to work hard, ask the question, and think about the role you want to play in the overall ecosystem of the financial services industry.
About Ryan Sandor, CAIA
Ryan currently serves as the gatekeeper for SICAV/UCIT open-end mutual funds at UBS Wealth Management Americas. He received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from The University of Connecticut’s School of Business.