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What were the main 'career decision' milestones in your life so far?
Growing up in Istanbul, I always wanted to know why rents were advertised in US Dollars and why economic crises were happening so often. I was interested in economics and financial markets from a young age because it was affecting my life on a daily basis. For example, when I had to pay a few million Liras every time I was buying a commuter bus ticket in an economy suffering from hyperinflation. A major career milestone was when my former macroeconomics professor mentioned a specialised masters programme in Italy, while I was already working as a portfolio manager in Istanbul.
It was a difficult decision at the time but winning a scholarship for my masters degree and relocating to Italy changed my career path. Working in an international environment in Italy, in Ireland and in Turkey allowed me to build a multinational network.
Who are the people who most influenced your career direction?
How did you go about getting your current job?
My current job was a leap of faith as I switched to the sell side after 18 years on the buy side. It is a challenge to set up a new business line from scratch, but also a learning opportunity. But of course, the first challenge was to convince my new boss and my new company to hire me and provide me with resources to set up inflation trading. Luckily our visions were similar, and I convinced them. I'm happy that we beat our targets three years in a row now.
Describe a typical day?
I'm in the office at 7:30 while the Asian market is still open, work throughout European trading hours and the US morning session and leave around 18:30. Every day is different, depending on the market price action, data releases, political events and our client meetings. The themes we follow change from macroeconomics to geopolitics to commodities and lately even epidemiology!
What are the main tasks and responsibilities?
What are the main challenges?
What do you like most?
I like it that my job is always challenging and never boring. Throughout the economic cycle, change is constant within financial markets. Interacting with our clients, hearing what it is that they are mostly focused on, allows us to tailor our solutions and be relevant.
Currently as economies are recovering from the pandemic, we are hearing more on how to hedge inflation risks, if house prices are reflecting asset price bubbles and on ESG investing. We have the opportunity to offer guidance and use our expertise to support our customers.
Is there anything that isn't great?
What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
I enjoyed studying macroeconomics and political science. Still enjoy reading about both, on and off work. But it is not a prerequisite to have a background in economics and finance. Many people in Investments have different backgrounds from physics to engineering, history and arts. We welcome diversity and believe different points of view contribute to a better decision making as a team.
What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?
What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?
I am mentoring junior traders since the beginning of the lockdowns. It's been a tough period for new joiners to build their trading skills while working from home. Sharing my views, exchanging ideas and looking at things from a different perspective has been a rewarding experience. I'm planning to continue taking part in mentoring projects.
What personal qualities do you have that helps you in your career?
Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?
What advice would you give to someone considering this job?
For people thinking about joining investment banking and asset management industries, do not get put off by the masculine, ego driven representation of it in the media. That representation is far from reality. Trading and investing in financial markets can be stressful and challenging at times but so are most jobs. Be resilient, informed, believe in yourself and don't be afraid to take risks.
What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?
What is your pet hate at work?
- Career Development?
- Current Job?
- Education and Training?
- Personal Qualities?
- Advice for Others?