Publication date:
June 3, 2025
Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley Executives Share Career Advice for Junior Bankers
Top executives from Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley offer insights on how junior bankers can impress their bosses and advance their careers.
Governance
As Wall Street welcomes a new cohort of junior bankers this June, executives from Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have shared valuable advice for those looking to make a strong impression and advance their careers in the financial services industry.
Denis Coleman, Goldman Sachs' Chief Financial Officer, emphasized the importance of trust and risk-taking in career development. He recounted how a career move to London, initially viewed as a step down, turned out to be a significant opportunity that enhanced both his career and Goldman Sachs' competitiveness in Europe. Coleman advises junior bankers to trust their superiors and be willing to take calculated risks with their careers.
Coleman also shared a tactical piece of advice from his early days as an analyst: identify aspects of your boss's job that don't require their personal oversight and offer to take on those responsibilities. This approach not only frees up senior staff for more strategic tasks but also gives junior employees exposure to higher-level work, potentially accelerating their career progression.
Lauren Garcia Belmonte, co-head of technology equity capital markets in the Americas at Morgan Stanley, shared advice she received from her mentor, Jim Runde. The key takeaway was to seek out opportunities to work with respected individuals, regardless of the specific task at hand. Belmonte paraphrased Runde's advice: "If someone you respect asks you to go sharpen pencils for them, you should do it."
Belmonte emphasized that the people you work with are often more important than the specific tasks you're assigned. She actively seeks opportunities to collaborate with diverse colleagues and clients across industries, believing that working with dynamic individuals brings out the best in her work and keeps her learning and growing.
These insights from top executives highlight the importance of building relationships, taking initiative, and being open to new opportunities in the competitive world of investment banking. For junior bankers starting their careers, focusing on these aspects could be key to standing out and advancing in the industry.
Denis Coleman, Goldman Sachs' Chief Financial Officer, emphasized the importance of trust and risk-taking in career development. He recounted how a career move to London, initially viewed as a step down, turned out to be a significant opportunity that enhanced both his career and Goldman Sachs' competitiveness in Europe. Coleman advises junior bankers to trust their superiors and be willing to take calculated risks with their careers.
Coleman also shared a tactical piece of advice from his early days as an analyst: identify aspects of your boss's job that don't require their personal oversight and offer to take on those responsibilities. This approach not only frees up senior staff for more strategic tasks but also gives junior employees exposure to higher-level work, potentially accelerating their career progression.
Lauren Garcia Belmonte, co-head of technology equity capital markets in the Americas at Morgan Stanley, shared advice she received from her mentor, Jim Runde. The key takeaway was to seek out opportunities to work with respected individuals, regardless of the specific task at hand. Belmonte paraphrased Runde's advice: "If someone you respect asks you to go sharpen pencils for them, you should do it."
Belmonte emphasized that the people you work with are often more important than the specific tasks you're assigned. She actively seeks opportunities to collaborate with diverse colleagues and clients across industries, believing that working with dynamic individuals brings out the best in her work and keeps her learning and growing.
These insights from top executives highlight the importance of building relationships, taking initiative, and being open to new opportunities in the competitive world of investment banking. For junior bankers starting their careers, focusing on these aspects could be key to standing out and advancing in the industry.
