It's that ability to be honest and candid with a student that is essential to helping junior financial professionals maximize their potential and thrive in life overall, and not just on the trading floor, according to Amy Ellis-Simon.
Sometimes people just need someone to listen to them - an ear to bounce an idea off of or someone to offer guidance or even just say, "It's going to be OK."
Don't get too comfortable in your job even if you're a master of the universe. Be willing to do lots of things at the same time and try new things, especially if they seem challenging - or maybe even impossible, at first. Constantly communicate with clients.
Those are the philosophy components of Goldman Sachs' Janice McFadden.
The road to Wall Street success can take many unusual turns, but one must be open-minded.
That's what Donna Sims Wilson found. Wilson, who now runs the mortgage and equity departments for CastleOak Securities, initially wasn't interested in Wall Street as a young woman. Then, at age 19, she took a summer job at Salomon.
Being a specialist has its advantages. Ask James Imhof, managing director of global trading at Russell Investments. ""When I hired her back in 2005, we were just getting into fixed-income derivatives and the business was too much for our staff," Imhof recalled.
Having a broad skill set is the secret to success. That's what Christy Oeth said was integral to her journey from Harvard, where she majored in social studies to the upper echelons of compliance.
