New York kind of feeling
by Rebecca Gill
Jamie
Dunham never expected a UniSA Diploma in Business Administration would
eventually lead to his role as managing director of Fortune 500 company,
Principal Global Investors. But add a UniSA business degree to the mix
and postings in five different cities over 13 years, and Dunham finds
himself directing money flows internationally from the epicentre of
international finance, New York City.
The company manages more than $A221 billion on behalf of other large financial institutions.
"Many large financial institutions outsource money management to other companies and I’m responsible for structuring those deals," Dunham said.
He modestly puts his success down to increasing consolidation in the investment banking industry and more than a little luck.
"My first job was for Bankers Trust in 1994," Dunham said. "In 1999 Bankers Trust was acquired by Deutsche Bank, which soon after sold its Australian investment management operation to Principal Financial Group based here in the US, so due to industry mergers and acquisitions, I’ve had the luxury of moving around."
But his path there was not all plain sailing. Dunham admits that gaining his qualifications was hard work.
"As I was offered full-time employment in Sydney before graduating, I completed my degree by correspondence. Working and studying full-time was very demanding. But UniSA made it possible," Dunham said.
"I enjoyed my time at uni immensely. The facilities suited my needs perfectly and the teaching staff couldn’t have been more helpful. UniSA was flexible, accommodating and supportive."
Dunham offers some advice to UniSA graduates contemplating a career on Wall Street, where job competition is extremely intense.
"Each year, investment firms are swamped with applications from the best students from the best universities. There is no question that the University of South Australia is highly regarded, but immigration and visa issues do make it difficult for students from Australia to accept jobs in a place like New York."
Yet, he says, for those graduates with the skills and drive, there are things that can be done to maximise the chances of working overseas.
"My advice is to focus your job applications on those firms that have an international presence, and subsequently apply for a transfer. It’s much easier to move internationally when you have a few years of employment experience in a particular field."
After years of moving between cities, Dunham says New York is the place he now calls home.
"From a professional standpoint, New York is the best place to be if you work in the financial markets. I’m yet to visit a city that has the excitement of New York. I’m on a plane every week for work, but each time I get back to New York, it’s as if I can feel my heart rate increase several beats per minute."
But there are personal considerations, too.
"I just bought an apartment and, coupled with the fact that I’ve married a New Yorker. That should keep me here for the foreseeable future."