19 18 Have you wondered what a career in finance is really like? We spoke with Raj Singh, a new young partner at 2Xideas investment firm. Diverse Portfolios and Responsibilities Raj’s role is to oversee investments in a variety of financial sectors. He also contributes to the Investment Committee and is involved in refining investment processes based on feedback. Not your Typical 9-to-5 Routine With a schedule influenced by market dynamics, Raj works beyond typical office hours to cater to global time zones. “Working on investments spread across different time zones, from Japan to the United States, means I have to be available outside of 9-5 office hours.” Building Connections, Cultivating Relationships Building relationships with portfolio companies through meetings is essential. Last year alone, he had over 120 company meetings. “My job involves traveling approximately 10-12 weeks each year, visiting clients and companies, “ he said. Meetings typically focus on the long-term plans and strategies for invested companies or prospective investments. Often, he suggests adjustments to strategies based on the latest information. Behind-the-Scenes Research and Analysis Apart from client interactions, Raj conducts extensive research to identify investment opportunities and refines strategies. He relies on tech tools such as Bloomberg, S&P Capital IQ, and expert networks to stay ahead. Additionally, he utilizes expert networks like Tegus or Third Bridge, and financial modeling services like Canalyst. How You’ll Start Out “New recruits normally start with research tasks,” said Raj. This is to support analysts with modeling and investment primers. Skills Needed for Success Curiosity is at the core of success in finance, according to Raj. “You should always try to learn about new things, whether it is hot sauce production or flight simulators!” Intellectual humility is also something Raj believes is important. “Remember, you will never know everything, and can always learn something from anybody.” Advice for Students For high school students thinking of careers in finance, Raj offers some reassuring advice. “Don’t worry too much about other people who had internships at prestigious companies, or industryspecific jargon. There isn’t one ‘right’ path.” “If you like reading about businesses or watching videos on YouTube about how things work, you can channel that passion into investing, or investment banking.” His Main Advice? Follow your passions and embrace opportunities for growth and learning. What’s it really like working in finance? Raj Visen-Singh JOB Partner & Head of Financial Investments Company 2Xideas, an independent investment firm Raj obtained his Master of Arts (Hons), Management, from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. “Don’t worry too much about other people who had internships at prestigious companies, or industry-specific jargon. There isn’t one ‘right’ path.” A Day In The Life... 7:15 AM I usually start traveling to my office around 7:15am. During this time I catch up on news from across our holdings. 7:45 AM I arrive at the office around 7:45am. I spend the morning continuing to catch up on news from our holdings. 8:45 AM I put in a call to a client company. One of our core aims at 2Xideas is to build direct, lasting relationships with our investors, so these personal calls are important. Good relationships mean that should there be difficult performance periods, it’s easier for an investor to remain confident. It helps if the investor knows the manager well and is familiar with the investment philosophy and process. 9:30 AM Throughout the day I keep a close eye on the markets, and log in to our proprietary platform called ACE. The ACE platform supports all of our core workflows. It also enables optimal collaboration and knowledgesharing throughout the firm. 10:30 AM I attend a portfolio meeting. Our quarterly process that governs structural changes in our portfolios is based on collective decision making. We debate ideas and the data we have in our system of all historical decisions, which leads to improved decision making over time. 12:00 PM I leave for lunch in the city with a company we are considering for investment. 1:45 PM Follow up with colleagues regarding ongoing projects and speak to companies, experts, or other investors. Our mission is to identify and invest in high-quality companies early, and then profit from their long term growth and value creation. We look for investment “ideas” with “2X” return potential over 5 to 7 years, equivalent to a 10-15% return per annum. 7:30 PM After completing calls to the USA, I travel home. However, depending on the markets, I have to be available in my evenings in order to make any quick decisions.
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