Learn more about the financial industry and investment fund managers by reading  publications such as Barrons (https://www.barrons.com), Wall Street Journal (https://www.wsj.com), Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/), Businessweek (https://www.bloomberg.com/businessweek), Fortune (https://fortune.com), Financial Times (https://www.ft.com), and The Journal of Investment Consulting (https://investmentsandwealth.org/journalofinvestmentconsulting). These publications offers a wealth of information on stocks, mutual funds, finance, education, careers, salaries, global business, and more. Another way to explore the investment funds field is by conducting company research. Look through the Web sites of the companies that interest you to learn more about the types of investment services they offer and search their careers sections for employment opportunities.

While in high school, volunteer to do the bookkeeping for a school club or student government, or help balance the family checking account to become familiar with simple bookkeeping practices. Ask a parent or teacher to help you research and analyze investment opportunities. Choose a specific industry, such as telecommunications, technology, or health care, study companies in that industry, and select and track several stocks that appear to have growth potential.

You can also gain valuable experience by participating in competitions, investment clubs, and related activities during high school and college to develop your financial skills and knowledge. For example, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania offers the Knowledge@Wharton High School Investment Competition, a free global online investment simulation for students, 9th to 12th grade, and teachers. According to the Wharton Web site, “students learn about teamwork, communication, risk, diversification, company analysis, industry analysis, and investing.” Find information at https://kwhs.wharton.upenn.edu/competitions/investment-competitions/.

Investment fund managers work for investment banking firms, investment service companies, banks, insurance companies, and nonprofit organizations. They are responsible for helping clients to strategize their investments to meet their financial goals. They study their clients or organizations financial status and make financial and investment recommendations. They base their recommendations on their clients or organizations financial history and objectives, income and expenditures, risk tolerance, and current investments, and identify their short- and long-term goals.

The investment amounts vary according to the size of the client and their holdings, and most organizations or clients channel their investments into a diversified portfolio. Investment fund managers closely monitor current investments or active funds. If the investments are performing poorly or if there are other concerns, they may make recommendations for selling funds and changing to different funds to protect their clients money.

Investment fund managers also create quarterly and annual financial reports. They use various software programs to accomplish their work, such as risk analysis software, financial analysis software, and spreadsheet software. They may also be responsible for establishing financial procedures, keeping financial records for operating and administrative expenses, and hiring and training staff members.