Meet Joshua Salih
Wealth & Investment Management
The Past: “How did you get here?”
What distinguished Wells Fargo from other competitors, as a professional opportunity for you?
I was most impressed by the level of commitment from the coordinators within the Early Talent Program. The Program was a great introduction to both Wells Fargo and what is expected of you in your professional role. Not too many companies invest this much time and resources into recruits from my experience. The Company also has a huge presence in the local community through volunteering and philanthropy, which is something I am very passionate about.
The Present: “What do you do here?”
What is a typical work day like for you?
A typical day for me begins with me reviewing market commentary and news, responding to portfolio review and deconstruction requests via email, and researching new investment ideas for both myself and our clients. Since my role is more of a support function, the work can ebb and flow from time to time, so when I am not reviewing a client’s portfolio or working on a presentation I am reviewing Wells Fargo Investment Institute publications and other news sources to stay the most informed about market commentary.
What was your most enjoyable project at Wells Fargo? Why?
The most enjoyable project that I have participated in was a presentation that I gave to the members of my team about technical analysis and chart monitoring for stock selections. I enjoyed this project because technical analysis is such an obscure concept to most people, and to be given a platform to show how we can utilize this ability to better enhance our value to clients was very rewarding to me.
What are the top three skills (technical and soft) that are required, daily, in your role?
The top three skills that are required would be high analytical skills, robust time management, and the ability to collaborate across multiple business channels with different team members.
How would you describe the corporate culture of your group?
The corporate culture of my group is very close, we all know each other very well. Most of the people in my department have a long history or working together at Wells Fargo, so they are both friendly and professional.
The Future: “Where do you want to go?”
What future opportunities do you hope to embark on in your career? Does Wells Fargo provide avenues to foster these goals?
In the future, I would like to possibly shift my focus from investment management into more of an investment research concentration where I am covering a specific sector or list of stocks. Wells Fargo does certainly provide avenues to foster this goal, but there is a level of independent development that I must take ownership of also. Tuition reimbursement programs for both full time and part time team members and the ability to network easily through our many Team Member Networks allow for a wide range of ways I can advance within the Company and meet these goals.
Advice: A word to the wise…
A motivational piece of advice you wish someone told you as a young professional going into your specific industry?
Your job is not always going to fulfill you. Some days, you might not feel like going to work at all. Go anyway. Remember your job is not who you are, it’s just what you’re doing on the way to who you will become.
A professional piece of advice you wish someone told you as a young professional going into your specific industry?
Hand written thank you letters after a meeting or an interview can go a long way, be the exception in a time where most communication is done through email. Also, finding a mentor is also invaluable, have many of them.