Saya Bliss
Ares Management
New York, NY USA
"There’s something quite impactful when you think about what we're able to accomplish together as a group versus individually."
Career Roadmap
Saya's work combines: Business, Numbers, and Working with Others
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
The traditional path is to earn a degree in economics or finance, and start your career in a large investment bank. But there are other opportunities to gain great exposure and experience in this industry as well. I recommend looking for internships. Think about what part of the ecosystem you want to be a part of. For example, I said yes to opportunities at different small organizations throughout the alternative investment space, which gave me a lot of insight into the dynamics of the industry.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Sociology
Colgate University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I grew up in New York City, curious about people and cultures, but was ultimately unsure of my path.
2.
I studied sociology and Asian studies at Colgate University, and also studied abroad in Tokyo—I thought I might build a career in Japan but realized that where I worked really mattered to me.
3.
I said yes to a job at a small hedge fund after college, stepping outside my comfort zone and into an industry I barely knew.
4.
Living through the 2008 financial crisis opened my eyes to uncertainty and taught me the value of diversification in investing and in my career.
5.
I joined a hedge fund consulting firm, where working across clients, products, and strategies widened my perspective on alternative investments.
6.
After eight years at an asset management firm where I wore many hats, I stopped asking what I should do and started asking what gave me energy and alignment.
7.
Following that sense of alignment led me to Ares, where I now help lead investor strategy and solutions while helping clients, my team, and our organization move forward.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
Something is missing in my career and I'm behind in life.
How I responded:
Early in my career journey, I felt like I was behind because I didn't have a lightbulb moment about what I was meant to be doing. I saw all my friends committing to paths pretty early in their journeys. I realized I was looking externally for that lightbulb but slowly began to realize that the light was there for me too—I just had to look internally at what really aligned with me. It takes time but each opportunity and experience will help you learn more about yourself and where you belong.