Meeting with a Former Chief Executive at Wellington Management

Hello all:

I am a high-school senior fixated on the world of finance, with peripheral interests including economics and government. My grandfather went to high school with a former executive at Wellington Management, a fact I learned of just just weeks ago.

I was accepted to the Carroll School of Management at Boston College, which happens to have strong ties to both Wellington and the overall Boston-area finance scene. As a kid who is obsessed with finance and would love to make his name known around Wellington's headquarters, what should I be thinking about in my meeting?

What are some of Wellington's better attributes? What are some of the unique opportunities available at Wellington? What are some of the drawbacks of Wellington?

Other than JPM having an investment banking division and more assets than Wellington, what are some of the differences between the two firms? Excuse my ignorance. Also, how does GS differ from Wellington?

I am thinking about becoming a CFA or CAIA. I love researching, analyzing, and investing. I also like math and alternative investments. I have a lot to think about. I will probably get my PhD in Finance, hopefully from a university like Harvard, Stanford, Penn, or MIT. I am still very uncertain about MBA vs PhD, CAIA vs. CFA, IB v. PE v. IM vs. Alternatives.

All help and advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.