A highly insightful session on “Investment Advisory & Wealth Management: Exploring Career Opportunities in Mutual Funds & Beyond” was conducted for the PGDM-RM (Retail Management) 2024-26 batch. The speaker for the day was Mr. Abhishek Kansal, an alumnus from the 2015-17 batch and currently a Portfolio Manager and Proprietor at Investment Financial Services.
The session began with Mr. Kansal sharing his personal journey and professional growth in the finance sector, setting a strong example for students aspiring to enter similar domains. He introduced the core concepts of Investment Advisory and Wealth Management, clearly explaining their definitions, functions, and importance in today’s financial ecosystem.
Students learned how Investment Advisory focuses on providing expert guidance on asset allocation, investment strategy, and financial planning, while Wealth Management takes a broader approach including portfolio management, estate planning, and tax advisory. These services are particularly crucial for HNIs (High Net-Worth Individuals) and are steadily gaining popularity among working professionals, including in the retail sector.
The speaker also broke down the basics of Mutual Funds, explaining how they function, the roles of fund managers, and the various types of mutual funds available. This was extremely valuable for students, especially those interested in finance, as mutual funds are a key part of modern personal finance and a growing product in retail financial services.
In addition, Mr. Kansal highlighted a range of career opportunities available in mutual fund distribution, advisory roles, client servicing, financial product sales, and relationship management. These roles align well with the retail industry, where customer-facing roles are crucial, and understanding consumer financial behavior is a valuable asset.
Towards the end of the session, an interactive Q&A allowed students to ask questions directly, simulating an interview-style interaction with the speaker. Mr. Kansal’s practical advice and willingness to share real-world insights made the experience more relatable and inspiring.
This session was particularly beneficial for Finance students under the Retail Management program, as it helped bridge classroom learning with industry relevance. The enthusiasm among students was evident, and many expressed interest in having more such sessions in the future to enhance their understanding and exposure.