While dabbling around the "How many people on WSO actually Make It" post: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/how-many-peo...

I started thinking, in my mere 22 weeks of lurking and posting here I gained at least 9 solid and VALUABLE connections along with 2 very affluent one's. I'm not talking about "here's my card, let me take yours, blah blah blah we'll follow up" either.

Actually, the people I met here affected my business directly. I improved in a lot of areas.

How many people have you met from WSO?

Did it change something in your life (new job, offer, recommendation, etc?), has it given you a connection you can utilize in the future?

Here's an update to this thread: "When to Give Up"

I got picked up by a lower mm pe firm w/ an lbo focus on the tech sector for an associate gig. Will commence to send out gifts to the numerous people from here who aided me in my quest in the near future.

I'll continue to try to make a switch to a hf after a while at this place, and will do the cfa, but its good to finally be justified. I also don't understand why people like some of the posters in that thread would choose to respond in the way they did. Cant really give any advice because I feel like my path was not one I'd necessarily suggest to others.

***FIRST: This is long so I'll put the cart before the horse real quick: THANK YOU WSO. To everyone who's posted insider knowledge, "day in the life" shit, interview guides, models, any feedback in general--you have provided knowledge that tuition can't pay for. I can't tell you how long I've looked forward to the day of writing my own success story on this forum.

ASPIRING MONKEYS: WORK YOUR ASS OFF

I recently received an offer from a BB for an ER associate analyst position! I'll give some of my background/story and talk about how I made it happen.

There are a couple different paths that you can take as with finance major:

1. Commercial Banking
2. Corporate Finance
3. Financial Planning
4. Hedge Funds
5. Insurance
6. Investment Banking
7. Money Management
8. Private Equity
9. Real Estate
10. Other

I picked investment banking…

Just wanted to say a general thank-you to everyone who contributes to this site. I've learned a lot and continue to learn more through further research.

I landed an Ops internship this summer with a BB firm. I know it's not as sexy as FO positions but it's a start. Being a junior from a non-target, networking will likely be my entry into where I'm trying to go down the road. Keep grinding/interviewing and good things will happen.

With recruiting winding down or virtually over and the recent influx of posts from people who are down on luck I've decided to write a story of two people in my family who "made it" from an extremely unlikely place. The purpose of this post is to encourage people to keep trying.

Person 1: No college education, 4 kids, age 40. This person decides to go back to college to get their business degree at a local college, which is a complete nontarget. This person worked their ass off and made the right connections in school and got an analyst, yes analyst, job at around 43. This person continued to work hard and made MD by 50. A few years later this person sits on the board of directors of a few major companies.

Hi fellow monkeys…

I’m a brand new poster but have been reading through these boards for a couple of months to pass the time. The preponderance of posts on here regarding happiness and the work life balance have compelled me to add my own .02 cents on these issues, mostly because I think that I have a unique perspective to offer, having actually quit the rat race for some adventure. Take it for what it’s worth, with plenty of salt on the side! I’m trying to get back into the game after a 1 yr sabbatical, and I wanted to share my story about what happens just after you give your boss the finger and “go out and enjoy life”

Some background about me:

Many years ago I left Graduate School in an un-related field and was working in the retail fashion industry. After having trouble making ends meet I decided to get into the financial business (I made the decision while sitting on the sidewalk after a motorcycle accident). I began emailing, faxing, and mailing my resume (without anything remotely financial on it) to various firms.

One day it dawned on me that this was ridiculous, that I'd never get a job in this industry this way. I put on my suit and hit the pavement. I showed up un-announced, resume in hand, and requested to speak to the most senior person in whatever office I went to. Everyone I encountered thought I was nuts.

Until one day, on a normal Thursday afternoon I was in the right place at the right time.

I have learned so much from WSO, so I just wanted to pop in give my success story, to hopefully encourage some fellow students to keep on trucking and develop good habits.

TL;DR: I fostered a networking relationship outside the bounds of "what can this person do for me" and it paid off in a big way.

Last summer I did a PWM internship, and I networked fairly hard with a senior analyst who had previously worked at GS. When I left, she put me in touch with some of her friends from GS, one of whom now works at another BB. Last semester I met with this woman who works at a different BB, we really bonded over dinner, and she put me on the list for first round interviews.

I just wanted to thank WSO members for the second time. I got a job offer recently (and accepted it) in almost exactly what I want to do within finance. I'm not going to get into specifics here because of confidentiality reasons, but I'm a lucky guy and wanted to show appreciation for the valuable nuggets of wisdom the WSO community has provided me with over the years. Even a year ago, I never thought I would be in the position that I am today, but through self learning, elbow grease, and being in the right place at the right time, I was able to get what I wanted. Special thanks to SirTradesaLot for helping me negotiate the offer, as well as numerous others like BlackHat, WhiteHat, TheKing, and CompBanker for answering my PMs and giving me advice in the past that has led to this point.

After a tense period of 2 months and 9 grueling rounds of interviews, including an 8 hour modeling test, I finally did it! Got my offer letter today!

Background: Fresher Chartered Accountant, no prior modeling experience. Doesn't sound like the ideal resume, right? I agree. So I thought I'll share how I managed to break in here on WSO. Considering how WSO has helped me over the past few weeks, I thought I ought to share my story here and hopefully help others.

Networking - I contacted a guy on Facebook who runs a "Business Updates" group with nearly a thousand members. I figured he would be having an incredible network, so I requested his help with networking. He is also a CA and he readily agreed to help. He said he has just one contact in PE, but agreed to send my resume. BAM! Two days later, I got a call.

Consider two situations:
a) Your parents have 8 figure net worth
b) Same as A, but they build their wealth from being serial entrepreneurs

Assume that parents are willing to invest/support you if you offer sensible business/investment opportunities. Also, they would be willing to mentor you and would let you work in family business. They also have extensive network in the local region.

Would this impact the career decisions you make?

Joining the oasis has been a real eye opener. As I complete schooling, try to land a desirable job, and pursue the CFA path, I have used WSO as the main reference for guidance and advice. I know you monkeys tell things how they are and these are the main points you all have helped me to learn:

1. This industry is competitive. I now see why people view accounting as a more stable career choice. Finance takes sweat, blood and a relentless work ethic to succeed. An accounting undergrad with decent grades can get a job in the big 4 upon graduation. In finance, only the top students from top schools their way into BB firms. A great gpa alone does not get you very far in the field.

A few months ago I wrote a post about how I came from a non-target school with a sub 3.0 GPA, and made it into a FO gig at a top MM bank. You can check out my background and brutal job search journey here.

I'm writing this post to hopefully provide some advice to fellow monkeys who have accepted offers and will be starting their capital markets careers soon or upon graduation. I've been on the job for 6 months now and absolutely love it. S&T hours, an awesome team, and I finally feel like I am somewhere with a solid future and career path.

While you may think you've made it and all your worries are gone now that you landed the bank job you've been killing yourself for, think again. It's just the beginning of another journey.

I flew into London the morning of my interview, only to find that my luggage was on the next flight. Normally not too much of a problem, except that a) I had to start a final round of interviews for a banking position in two hours and b) as it was a 12 hour trip, I was wearing sandals and shorts.

The original plan had been to hit a shower at the ariport, shave, put on a clean shirt and spend the train ride in, plus an hour, polishing answers for the coming barrage of questions over the next 4-6 interviews.

Instead, I spend half an hour waiting in line to be told that the airline will pay for ancilliaries, and to fill out a form to have my bag shipped to me.

Moderator note (Andy): This success-story update was posted in the orignal thread ("Walk-in "cold call" question") by DJBanker. SirTradesaLot and I thought it should be added to the homepage for those who never saw it.

Hello Monkeys, I am sure some of you are curious as to my recent developments, and there have been a few. So let's begin:

When I originally posted my question, I was very new to the concept of walking in, as I'm sure some of you can relate to. I received great feedback and advice which not only allowed me to craft my own strategy, but boosted my confidence as well. I knocked on quite a few doors; had a regimented schedule. Landed a few interviews, some informational while others employment related. Gained exposure to a variety of niches and roles along the way. Intellectually stimulated, emotionally challenged and painfully anxious at times would be how I describe my state.

However, I did manage to learn about some interesting positions - one as Portfolio/Trading Analyst had 3 rounds of interviews, with no offer at the end. Second role in Advisor Distribution at a BB was a go but an issue occurred last minute and the offer was revoked - this was through networking. Third, in PWM at a boutique through old fashioned email resume and a similar role at a BB through networking. Finally, a role in Hedge Fund and PE due diligence.