Q: Why do you want to be an investor? A:?

mcl116 just wants some pointers guys, give the guy a break. I think it is a matter of structuring your thoughts and how you communicate; a bunch of us struggle with that. It is good not get get stumped on this question.

Reasons are preceded by key question anyone would think about when considering a new career:

• Will I enjoy the work?

1. Intellectually stimulating: Analyze top down macro analysis, bottom up company / division analysis, requires drive to continually improve and build upon your thinking and developing an edge over other market participants. You develop perspectives on the broader economy, capital markets, industries, private and public companies and most importantly people, through very close work with management (Hint: The response is a little nuanced, in that it cannot be fully applied to a hedge fund role - typically you do not work with management closely, unless you're working for an activist fund)

• Can I build a career longer term?

2. Longevity as a professional: It is not a job, it is a way of life, in that it is about refining your perspective about business and people and honing your judgement and toolkit continuously. Other careers typically do not offer that where you have a career for life (save medicine and few others), if you're good and effective of course. Additionally, network effects kick in, as in over time you develop a brand and a broad network in the industry which makes it hard to displace you. You can be an investor well past typical retirement age and over time you've developed these proprietary mental models that will help you succeed

• Will I get paid for the effort I put in?

3. Strong alignment of incentives: Tangible results drive incentives in this business. Few careers where incentives are strongly aligned across the ecosystem such as PE fund members, LPs, management, advisors and so on and to a large extent you as the PE investor is ensuring that optimal alignment. Any incremental dollar of EBITDA is theoretically incremental money in everyone's pockets, more or less

• What else do I get?

4. Ability to provide oversight early in career: Few careers where you can oversee management and provide them guidance this early in your career. Of course, this would be two-way lane. Through this oversight, you will develop quickly as a business professional

• Will the skills be transferrable? (You don't need to get into this aspect during your discussion)

5. Many possible exit paths: You've garnered a unique skill set and can apply it in a variety of contexts in the business world. Beyond the scope of this thread, so won't get into that