Do you travel a lot working in investment management? For what, exactly?

It depends on the role. As an Account Manager, my job is to be the face of the firm for our clients. I travel quite often to visit with our current clients and help them understand the markets and how we are managing their portfolios. Many firms will have an entire group of people who are tasked with traveling around the country (or the world) to market their firm to potential clients. Additionally, research analysts may travel quite frequently depending on the firm. It's important for the analysts to learn as much detail as possible about the companies they cover. This could mean visiting company headquarters, traveling to industry conferences, and meeting with suppliers, customers, etc.

Many of these roles may require a few years of experience before you begin to travel, but there are certainly jobs in the industry that will allow you travel often.

I've had the the opportunity to travel quite a bit in my career in the financial services industry as an External Wholesaler for various investment products where I was the sales rep for the investment company to financial advisors in an assigned territory of multiple states. This would often require travel on a weekly basis. If you think you would enjoy a sales career and enjoy travel, this could be a great high income potential career choice for you. Generally, the career path would be starting within customer service for any investment product company (Mutual Funds, Annuities, etc.), moving into an Internal Wholesaler (Inside Sales) position and then earning the opportunity to become an External Wholesaler (Outside Sales). In my career, I was able to work in almost every single state west of the Mississippi river and definitely earned the frequent flyer and hotel loyalty points!

Hi Steven,

I love the travel in my job, and can think of four reasons to be out on the road frequently. First, if you have clients you're working with, you need to go and see them often so you can understand their investment goals, problems, and issues they are working through. It's also a great way to get to know them personally. Second, new business is often won by having the investment manager meet directly with the prospective investor on the investor's turf. Third, investment analysts need to see what they are investing in, and get a reality check through a visit. And finally, investment managers attend, and often speak at, conferences in order to stay up-to-date and fresh.

Steve