What Makes a Successful Finance Professional?
Industry Panel Reveals Tricks of the Trade
According to a panel of successful finance industry experts, besides a passion for the industry and excellent business skills, it may take a little bit of magic to be an effective finance professional.
“It’s difficult to create rapport out of thin air,” says Shawn McWashington (’97, ’02 Education), HomeStreet Bank senior vice president of business development. “Aside from networking, communication is the number one skill to succeed in sales.”
McWashington was one of seven panelists sharing advice with students during the annual Finance Professionals Night networking event.
Jim Oster (’81 Accounting), KeyBank senior vice president and manager, moderated the panel comprised of commercial and international bankers, investors, personal wealth managers, and private industry finance professionals.
Foreign language, global experience recommended
All of the panelists unanimously agreed that building trust and relationships with clients is paramount to successfully selling financial products and services. International experience and learning a second language also topped the list as key skills that will help students get jobs.
“The ability to speak Chinese, especially Mandarin, is a good way to get a foot in the door,” said Mark Wuscher (’93 Finance, International Business), Bank of America Merrill Lynch senior vice president. “China will lead the global economy within 10 years.”
Bob Ledford (’86 Finance), AECOM-Americas chief operating officer, highly encouraged students to explore working in the Middle East to develop an eye-opening global perspective. His company sent him to Dubai for two years for executive leadership experience. “Global opportunities are out there,” he said. “I work with 27 different nationalities.”
Dispelling illusions of grandeur
While some students may be attracted to the finance industry as a way to get rich, several panelists dispelled the notion of a quick or easy road to prosperity as a finance professional. It takes diligence, good decision-making skills, and rigorous certification to meet the “gold standard,” said Spencer Shelman (’06 Finance, Economics), Palouse Capital portfolio manager.
“The Chartered Financial Analyst designation, the top certification for investment managers, is extremely rigorous,” he said.
A very low percentage of those that sign up for the Level 1 exam see it all the way through to pass all three levels of the exam.
“On average it takes more than four years to complete the process, and many give up along the way because of the frustratingly low pass rates,” Shelman said. He advised students to sign up for level one as soon as they graduate, noting it takes 300 hours of study per each of the three levels.
Brandon Rosenbaum (’95 Finance), Ohio National Financial Services sales executive, said he’s on the road 75 to 80 percent of the time and spends 90 to 100 nights a year in a hotel, away from his family. But on the up side, he noted a finance degree can take you anywhere you want to go.
Importance of professional compliance
John Roehm, KeyBank N.A. senior vice president, stressed the importance of a good compliance record.
“You can’t be a good CEO if you don’t have good compliance,” said Roehm. “Make it your job to know what happens in your organization every day. Tackle problems head on and fix them.”
Roehm advised students who will one day be CEOs to watch for headline risk and to stay out of the news, advice echoed by Rosenbaum. “Anything you do stays on your permanent record,” he said.
Love what you do
Balancing the panelists’ cautionary tips was their obvious passion for the finance industry. Several started out in different careers before finding the right fit.
Linda Nihoul (’71 Home Economics), a financial advisor with AGP Wealth Advisors, worked in an electrical company and earned a second degree in education before switching professions. “If you don’t like what you are doing, do not stay in that position,” she said. “The best thing I ever did was change careers and marry a Cougar!”
Others advised students to seek out mentors, take leadership roles when available, and pursue the career level where they eventually want to be—through observation, networking, and asking questions.
“Find an opportunity that you love and put your heart into it,” said McWashington. “Don’t be afraid to change.”
Finance Professionals Night is hosted annually by the Carson College of Business Department of Finance and Management Science.
For more information, contact Gene Lai, chair and Safeco Distinguished Professor of Insurance, at 509‑335‑8727 or genelai@wsu.edu.