How did I get here? Synopsis, and what its like
My story might be a little different from most of yours. I decided I wanted to work on Wall street 2 years ago. I went back to school, networked my ass off and landed an seasonal job at a BB in retail brokerage for businesses. I kept networking and met an investment banker who was retired. He told me he knew a lot of people and would get me an SA at a mm. Worked for a lil quant fund before it went belly up. After said Ibanker's wife took half his nerworth he decided to go back to work at a boutique with a jaw dropping book of clients.
He called me and asked me to come work for him and drop school. I was told it would be the best thing to do. I am here today raising capital for businesses and helping him broker deals, finding buyers and sellers. M&A? Yes! I check presentations, and pitchbooks, run interference for him and go to boring ass meetings.
Hows the pay? more than a BB associate...what about a bonus? I get a crumb of a crumb of the slice when its passed from one side to the other. Perks? In short I consider myself a very lucky guy. I get invited to a lot of events and get to go to snob clubs, its all a big game of network. Im being taught by a guy who went to wharton on how to do business. And the rest is who you are as a person. I get free breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sometimes I get car service as well. I get to meet a ton of women and while they might not recognize the firms name; they sure as hell know our clients. In short being an investment banker gets you laid and a hot secretary (who you can't try to f*ck).
Has it changed me as a person?
Yes, for better and worse.
For better,
I have developed the probervial attention to detail, and patience for clients. Sometimes it takes days at a time for them to get back to you.
I am way more eloquent and use strange words in my vocabulary to sound smarter, yes it does work. Physically I stand with a better posture, and walk like my dick is 3 footer.
I wake up without an alarm clock every morning because I love the work.
For worse,
I have become a little arrogant (must be the money) and impatient towards regular people. Girls have become more of an object to me. IT SUCKS most of them are gold diggers my fellow monkies. Physically, I get headaches, I seat at a desk all day so I have to watch what I eat.
But what about the buyside???
A couple of clients (one being a PE firm with a billion dollar book asked me to come help with their Lat Am book). Can't do it yet i want to learn more on business developmet first.
Pinch me, is this a dream? Nope. But I sure thought it would take longer.
Was it easy? As most say; you need to give 120% all of the time, networking must be a hobby, and last but not least you will need some kind of LUCK.
Im not at Golman Sachs but I can tell you we are not a big cathedral but we are a small church. It doesn't matter how you get the gold all that matters is that you beat the leprechauns to it.
Damn it feels good to be a banker.
Got any networking questions (which is what got me here) ask!
What should I say when I call an MD up at some boutique or MM who has no idea who I am and I want him to give me a job?
Network at bars, or gatherings it's better than cold slamming someone. Call him and tell him you would like to take him out for dinner and drinks. (dont worry he will pay) This might take months to consumate.
Can you detail your interactions with said investment banker during your time at the retail brokerage?
I didnt know him at the time.
FIrst of all congrats of course. Sounds like a good lifestyle. I'm wondering though how you got there, look to network to get a result like you do?;)
Damn dude, drop some networking knowledge bro
Good story man. Glad it worked out for you.
@Barboon - Is it possible to contact you elsewhere than WSO? thanks.
Wow well done living the dream man but how/where do I start about this networking stuff?
"He called me and asked me to come work for him and drop school," do you have a degree?
Yes i do " I decided to go 'back' to school".
Congratulations man...Im also exactly where i wanna be for now in my life and i must say it feels good. Not great cause i haven't accomplished all that i wanted to yet but its good to know that this young black kid from the bx is making some inroads in life. So what is your end goal here?
End goal? to make as much money as possible and get out.
noble aspirations
lol....good point but what i mean is what is your career goal with this? Do you plan on doing anything else?
make enough money to where I can become an angel investor and find the next Facebook.
Dude...sick story! CONGRATS. I'm starting my first job soon, not in IB though. I always wanted to be a banker though, guess I really gotta get a knack for this whole "networking my ass off" thing. Question: how do you first get any contacts number at a firm you're interested in?
you are the MAN barboon
living legend tell us more
Facere autem minima quidem voluptate maiores assumenda. Vel est animi ea molestias. Quod magnam molestiae excepturi alias ut in. Nisi veniam sit deleniti fugiat officiis ullam.
Perspiciatis ea quidem laborum laborum. Quo voluptates nesciunt provident quis reprehenderit minima.
Asperiores molestiae ut tempora ex porro id. Tempore sint soluta consectetur eos similique. Hic labore molestiae dolore vero quas. Quo non atque possimus perferendis voluptatem at incidunt.
Voluptatem et aut eum sequi nobis. Recusandae asperiores delectus tenetur exercitationem. Corporis ea aut odio maxime eius deleniti. Est quas beatae harum non quasi. Exercitationem numquam reiciendis molestiae sed libero.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...