Goldman US equity chief on advice he'd give to young workers starting out: Figure out how you fit into the machine of the company

"If you understand where you sit and your contributions to the commercial process, then you can see how that changes over time," he added. Kostin, who joined Goldman in 1994, credits decades of conversations with hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds, and pension giants for shaping his own way of thinking. His advice to juniors reflects the same idea: technical skills matter, but judgment comes from a deep understanding of clients, markets, and how your work influences both."

"AI is disrupting the traditional pathways into white-collar work, and experts say young employees must adapt in different ways. James Ransom, a research fellow at University College London, told Business Insider last month that Gen Z should stop chasing job titles and instead zero in on the tasks AI still struggles with - judgment, oversight, leadership, and persuasion. In his view, the standout young workers will be those who can supervise and scale AI while demonstrating real, measurable impact."

Young professionals should identify how their role fits into the firm's commercial engine and how their contributions evolve over time. Technical skills remain important, but judgment arises from deep understanding of clients, markets, and the business impact of one's work. AI is disrupting traditional pathways and makes job titles less important than task-focused capabilities. High-value tasks include judgment, oversight, leadership, and persuasion. Standout workers will supervise and scale AI while demonstrating measurable impact. Conversations with institutional clients help develop strategic perspective and inform practical decision-making in equity and investment roles.

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