6 Free Financial Modeling Lessons...and More.

Look, I can understand counterfeiting Gucchi or Prada stuff and even electronics like Iphones. But Condoms... Really?? That is just... absolutely absurd.

I'm currently a Private Equity Analyst in Shanghai, China. Academically, I graduated from a target school majoring in Economics and Chinese. I also spent my time at college as the president of an on-campus student organization related to Finance and Economics and a volunteer for a local school program. I have always had a nose for digging deeply into matters that I can't grasp as first, and thus trying to make sense of financials and business strategies in China seemed like a perfect challenge after college.

After spending some time as an Analyst for a publicly-listed Chinese company, I networked my way to my current position through meeting a few members of the firm and eventually the stars aligned. At this point my role is mostly in portfolio company management and deal screening, but have strong exposure to the Directors and Investment Managers in the firm as well. I'm happy to speak about the daily life of a private equity analyst here in Shanghai, differences between PE in the U.S. and China, networking in China, and general topics related to finance in Asia.

There was a recent story of a senior from Downingtown East in Pennsylvania that lost his D-1 scholarship for football because of a rap video he uploaded showing the incumbent rapper extraordinaire smoking weed in a car. Here's the post. This was one of nine videos uploaded in attempt to kick start his career. This kid was also no chump on the field as ESPN had him ranked as the no. 17 senior and second best wideout in the state. Add to that the binding letter of intent he signed to Michigan State where he would be an instant campus celebrity. Would any of you ever consider giving up your career aspirations in (enter finance field here) for something as retarded as this?

There are times as a trader when you are having a bad run. One loss leads to another and another….and another. After a period of time, even the most battle hardened veteran may find himself putting his balls in the desk drawer when he sits down at the screens.

Daniel Kahneman’s excellent: Thinking Fast and Slow, provides an assessment of system 1 and system 2 and their roles in your behavior and thought process. System 1 is the reactive, the intuitive, the low energy consumption function. System 2 is the rational, deep thought, energy intensive function. In a slump, you are heavily weighted to system 2. In trading, you need to be able to shift and work frequently in system 1.