Employers

Investment fund managers work for investment and asset management firms, banks, and other employers that are located throughout the United States. Many employers are located in large metropolitan areas such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. There are nearly 462,840 managers (all others not listed) employed in the United States, according to the Department of Labor. Of those, nearly 38,880 work in the management of companies and enterprises industry.

Starting Out

Many investment fund managers get started in their careers through an internship in an investment firm or bank while they are in school. Ask your school's career services office for help with finding internship opportunities. They also find jobs through referrals from professional associations and by searching investment companies' Web sites for career resources and job openings. Investment fund managers also use social media, such as LinkedIn and Twitter, to learn more about companies and prospective jobs. Investment companies and banks often participate in on-campus recruitment fairs, so be sure to check with your school's career services office for upcoming events. These organizations are usually seeking entry-level employees so be sure to prepare your resume and your interview skills.

Investment fund managers with five or more years of experience may advance to senior level and executive positions, such as department head or vice president. They may advance by going back to school for an advanced degree in finance, business management, or another related field. Some leave full-time positions to start their own consulting firms. They may also teach in colleges, speak at industry events, and write about the field.

Read industry publications such as Barron's (https://www.barrons.com) and the Journal of Investment Management (https://www.joim.com) to keep up with news, trends, industry practices, and the companies and individuals that are making the headlines. 

Attend industry events and conferences to network with people working in the field, which may lead to referrals for internships and employment openings. Search professional associations' Web sites for upcoming events, such as the Association for Financial Professionals, https://www.afponline.org/events.

If you have already have a bachelor's degree, get certified as a financial professional to show prospective employers that you have achieved a recognized level of skills and knowledge in the field. Find certification and education program information at the CFA Institute's Web site, https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs.

If you are in high school, get involved in student competitions for investment clubs. For example, learn more about the Knowledge@Wharton High School Investment Competition here, https://kwhs.wharton.upenn.edu/competitions/investment-competitions/, or through this infographic: http://kwhs.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Investment-Competition-Infographic.pdf.