Meet Matthew Armstrong | Recent Master’s Graduate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matthew Armstrong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Personally, I believe that everybody is a risk-taker, as every decision that we make is technically a risk. The risk is always what you could be missing out on by making that decision. While I was on the cycling team at college, my business professor always liked to highlight that the cycling team had a very high risk tolerance naturally, as we accepted the thrill of hurtling down mountains in Lycra that offers minimal protection. In hindsight, he had a point.

Reflecting on this, I’ve come to see that risk-taking extends beyond physical activities; it’s embedded in our daily choices and decisions. Throughout my life and career, I’ve ventured into the unknown numerous times in pursuit of an exciting and fulfilling life. By the age of 25, I had lived in four different countries, obtained an undergraduate and a master’s degree, and accrued years of experience in professional industries such as wealth management, financial and managerial accounting, and real estate. For me, accepting risk means understanding the opportunity costs of walking through an open door of opportunity. Often, the opportunity cost for me has been stability in terms of settling down in one place, but I believe there will be time for that down the line. For now, the opportunity cost of not exploring what lies behind the door has usually outweighed any fears, as the worst outcome has typically been a valuable new life experience.

This attitude has led me to short spells of vastly different career experiences in diverse cultures, which I believe will set me apart when the time comes to establish myself in a long-term position with a dynamic employer. Taking smaller risks has often resulted in significant career outcomes. For example, during my undergraduate studies in the small resort town of Banner Elk, NC, I had spare time and decided to put on a suit and visit each real estate company in town, as it was the primary professional work available in the area. Each office turned me down until I reached Engel & Völkers, where I was invited for an interview the next day. Long story short, I started as an intern and eventually became the marketing manager while spending my summer in NC.

During this time, I had no idea that clients would eventually offer me my first full-time position immediately after college as an associate wealth advisor—the first of its kind at their firm—believing my attributes were a perfect fit for the role. This small risk of walking into real estate offices asking for an internship ended up kickstarting my career in wealth management and positioning me where I am today.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am still in the early stages of my career, having just graduated with a Master’s in Creative Business Leadership from SCAD. Currently, I am applying for investment management positions in the US, pending visa approval. This transitional period offers me a unique opportunity to reflect, plan, and travel. A close friend who experienced a similar phase encouraged me to savor this time, as the freedom it offers is invaluable before diving back into the professional world.

While my career is still emerging, I have cultivated a broad portfolio of interests and knowledge. Traveling while gaining work experience has been both challenging and immensely rewarding. Navigating visa issues, language barriers, and cultural differences—like renting an apartment in Norway without a local bank account and awaiting visa approval during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US—has taught me resilience. Despite these hurdles, I have no regrets.

My professional journey includes working in both residential and commercial real estate in Northern Ireland and the US, gaining insights into global finance within Norway’s oil and gas industry, managing a cycling training camp in Spain, and providing investment advice while studying for a uniform investment advisory law exam in the US. Additionally, I served as a team manager for a nation at the 2023 Road Cycling World Championships in Scotland. These diverse experiences have equipped me with a unique skill set and a wealth of stories.

These accumulated experiences have positioned me to flourish in whichever career path I choose. I take pride in living a life full of diverse experiences while setting myself up for success. The connections I have made worldwide, with close friends on every continent, bring me immense joy and unforgettable, authentic experiences.

Rob Lowe, speaking at my graduation, advised us to run through any open door, which made me laugh because he didn’t know who he was speaking to. Similarly, a global president of IBM that I met while cycling in Spain once told me to seize every opportunity at work, and this advice has guided me on numerous occasions when it came to decision-making. Volunteering for new tasks can expand your knowledge, build connections, and reveal new passions or talents. A guided path is essential, but so is the ability to explore side routes to avoid missing out on valuable experiences.

Work culture has evolved significantly. It is very rare for somebody to be in the same job at the same company for most of their career, as it used to be. While this can come with some amazing benefits such as specialization and expertise, positions like these are becoming harder to come across. I have learned that it’s key to be versatile and have a diverse set of both tangible and intangible skills that can complement each other to be used throughout the journey of a career.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A week-long trip in Savannah would fly by. I’ve been fortunate to have friends visit who share my interests, allowing them to enjoy one of my city tours. Savannah generally boasts fantastic weather, offering numerous options. Among my favorites are playing tennis in Forsyth Park with snacks from Brighter Day Grocery Store conveniently located across from the courts. If you have your own transport, it’s hard to miss Tybee Island Beach, particularly South Beach, a quiet and somewhat secluded spot away from the crowds. A hike in Skidaway Island State Park is also a must.

In terms of food and drink, Savannah is outstanding. A great way to start the day is with Perc Coffee followed by breakfast at Collins Quarter. Some of my favorite restaurants in town include Shuk, Bull Street Taco, and Flock to the Wok. Ardsley Station is also a fantastic brunch spot. I find I spend most of my time with my guests in the midtown area rather than downtown as it feels more authentic. Evenings often conclude at Starland Yard, perhaps with a cheeky burger from Crispi, the burger van at Two Tides.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents have always backed my decisions, no matter how unconventional they’ve been; their unwavering support has brought me to where I am today, with a Master’s degree finishing at the top of my class and valuable work experience. It’s a sigh of relief for them, considering I didn’t even want to go to college and wasn’t the best student in high school.

I also want to give a shoutout to Lees-McRae College for shaping me into my own person and fostering my independence in thoughts and opinions. The college environment played a crucial role in my personal growth and development. It also allowed me to understand the role of nature in my life and how it grounds me and plays a significant part in my health and both physical and mental wellbeing.

Tim Hall, the varsity cycling team coach at Lees-McRae College, deserves a special mention for his mentorship that continues to impact me today. His coaching went far beyond cycling performance to coaching on life. Tim’s guidance helped me develop resilience, discipline, and a strong work ethic, which have been invaluable in both my personal and professional life.

I have to recognize the Creative Business Leadership program at SCAD for helping me shape my thinking regarding what can be seen as the somewhat square world of finance in a more creative way. The program provided a unique perspective on investment management from a slightly unorthodox, creative angle. SCAD allowed me to write my thesis on a thematic factor investment fund, an idea that came to me directly after meeting a contact at the school. This vision has opened new doors and possibilities for me in my career.

I pride myself on maintaining close relationships with my most valuable friends, even though they are spread across the world. These friendships are very close, and my friends understand the difficulties in the decisions I make. They know how to support me and are always there for me, no matter what I need. One friend in Guam stands out; I recently found myself saying that if I ever needed anything, I truly believe he would drop everything to come and help me, no matter where in the world I was. That kind of support is priceless.

Throughout my journey, there have been many people who recognised my willingness to take a more challenging path and respected that character, supporting and guiding me along the way. Many of my endeavors would not have succeeded without their help and encouragement.

Website: Www.matthewarmstrong.net

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewarmstrong21?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app