I'm reluctant to make this post, because I think a lot of times these things look pretty douchey, and I don't like to toot my own horn, but... I thought this could be helpful to other military veterans lurking out there looking for advice on how to break into the industry. I know I was completely clueless about the finance world when I got out and this website (looking at you Military PE Guy) was a valuable resource for me trying to figure out what I needed to do to break in. I want to help out other vets, so if you have any specific questions, please feel free to PM me.
As the title of the thread suggests, I just accepted a FT offer with a large MM PE firm after interning with them for the summer.
A little about my background: I enlisted after high school. I had a lot of options coming out, I just felt like I needed to serve for a bit with these wars going on (I could never feel good about myself knowing there are people fighting on my behalf; I wanted to do my part); I decided college could wait. I was in a special operations unit - deployed a lot, got to do all the "cool" stuff you think about when people talk about the military, but... it was completely exhausting, had a lot of friends get hurt/killed, and decided I was ready to move on after accomplishing the goals I set out for myself.
I didn't know anything about finance when I got out, I just knew I wanted to study business. I decided to go to a semi-target state school close to my home (didn't even know there were targets, etc... just wanted to be close to my family). I am married, so I had a lot of pressure to get my shit in line to figure out what I was going to do after graduation. I spent the next year learning everything I possibly could about the industries I thought I may be interested in, stumbled across this website, read everything on here, decided I want to do PE, reached out to some people and got good advice. I read, researched, joined student organizations, reached out to other vets in the industry and alumni, made good grades, worked my ass off in and out of school, you name it... and ended up catching a lucky break through a mentor who made a key introduction.
So, here's my advice to military vets who want finance jobs:
1) Be humble and have realistic expectations. Know that what you did in the military was great, and people respect you a lot for it, but at the end of the day, no one is going to give you a job unless they know you possess the skills to excel at it and add value to their firm. Figure out what you are good at, and seek out careers that allow you to use those skills. Try to be as humble as possible - it's great that you were a company commander, but if you can't translate that into something that is tangible for an employer to understand for someone coming into an entry level position, it doesn't matter. Don't be afraid to take a job as analyst. Sure, it's going to suck for a while, and you're back at the bottom of the totem pole, but there are many more opportunities for you to get a job as an analyst (whether it be PE, IB, whatever), than deciding you have to go to B-School immediately and have to be hired as an associate. I was extremely lucky to have the opportunity in PE that I do, but I was 100% ready to go all in to IB and consulting recruiting (or whatever other recruiting I needed to do if I still didn't have a job) -- was hoping for the best but expecting the worst.
2) Research. Read all the books you can get your hands on (the recommended reading on this website are great; I highly recommend Lerner's Venture Capital and Private Equity: A Casebook). Understand the ins and outs of PE firms, LBO's, how they make money, etc... These websites were very helpful resources for me as well: http://macabacus.com/valuation/lbo/overview
http://people.stern.nyu.edu/adamodar/pdfiles/coun…LBO.pdf
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/pe/class.cfm
3) Network. Don't network just to use people to get a job, but meet people, get to know them, and treat them as an end in and of themselves and not just a means. I have met some great people and have made a lot of friends just by putting myself out there, and it's okay if they don't ever lead to a job. But, the people who I have relationships with know what I am about, what I am interested in, and these relationships are strong; because of the strength of these relationships, people feel confident recommending me when they hear of an opportunity.
Yes, it is possible to move from enlisted military to finance and undergrad to PE, it's just very difficult. Don't let anyone tell you that is is not. Just use it as motivation, put your head down, tighten you ruck straps, and keep moving forward.
Anyway, thanks WSO for the helpful resources and to anyone who gave me advice along the way. Once again, please feel free to pm for any specific questions.
I am a Military PE guy; Great points on this article. I joked I went to a "super" non-target as everybody on campus was employed and committed to the military so there was no OCR. My path into PE was a little more stream lined than an enlisted man but I think we share the same intangibles. When I interview for openings in our firm military exp is BIG plus in my book.
Oh yeah , I never thought of that. There would be no reason for OCR at West Point
Correct on the no OCR. Even NFL tried a few years back to get one of my teammates and was told he wasn't eligible till after her served. I did not go to West Point though I have a few co-workers/friends who did. I went to the better Academy...I kid. It was a great expereince and I have been in some intense situations. My path to PE was not as structured as the traditional path but it still was not as hard as a lot on kids from non-targets. I just took a 4 year detour and started my first analyst stint at 28.
I have to say. As one of those assholes who left high school without enlisting, well, what can you say.
@Ranger375 I am on a very similar path. Alas, I cannot PM. I'd like to chat offline if you're available.
Hats off to you man, and thank you for sharing your story.
Congrats on the job, my friend. +1 for sharing the experience.
good for you!!!
Ea porro harum architecto quo ullam ducimus sint assumenda. Id sit qui laborum voluptatem modi. Id ad ut ad animi saepe officiis optio. Provident culpa incidunt reprehenderit aliquid atque ratione.
Odio autem enim reprehenderit rem magnam. Soluta corporis officia expedita voluptas aut architecto commodi. Veritatis aut illo et a. Corrupti distinctio beatae eos quidem dolore. Non perspiciatis unde velit officiis qui delectus reprehenderit ad.
Ut ut nulla quaerat fugiat fuga nostrum tempore rerum. Nihil nihil alias cupiditate error nisi. Necessitatibus qui sed autem nulla.
Voluptatem aut eum quibusdam autem dolore cupiditate. Autem quos culpa ipsum eaque.
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...