Double major in Acct and Econ looking for insight regarding hedge funds

I am currently a freshman in college. I have chosen to double major in Accounting and Economics with an IT minor. I am also enrolled in Air Force ROTC I feel that being from a non-target a military back round can give me a competitive adavantage. My first semester of college I finished with a 4.0 gpa and am on track to finish with a 4.0 again this semester. To cut to the chase I am truly passionate about finance. I have read books that range from the intelligent investor to Security Analysis. I would like to someday run my own hedge fund or private equity firm. I would like to know what else I can do to enhance my marketability to my future employer, especially since I am from a non-target school (university of minnesota duluth) How important is my gpa since im from a non-target ?

_Thanks

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Best Response

Rule 1 - never reveal your identity on a forum like this one. Rule 2 - keep that GPA strong, it is critical and network like crazy and try to pull off internships in the Minnesota area that will give you a better understand of finance in general, and what exactly you want to do within finance so you can apply to Wall Street firms with some credible background in the future.. There's way too many freshmen wanting to start a hedge fund or private equity firm without knowing what the hell either of them exactly are. Rule 3 - use the search function on this forum? every question that you want to ask has already been answered.

 
AgbamuThanks for the advice, I actually know quite a bit about hedge funds and private equity firms btw.
Oh well in that case, where can I mail the check?

Kidding aside, you're fighting a MASSIVE uphill battle-U of M is a non-target; UMD is non-existent. The points above about getting internships from the get-go are good ones.

ROTC/Military is a double-edged sword: on the one hand it's viewed favorably by business schools and employers, but on the other hand you spend the first few years out of college away from the public sector. A number of my friends who are rolling off their post-ROTC service are having a hard time finding the kind of jobs they would have chosen straight out of undergrad.

Be prepared to take the "long-view" approach-don't turn up your nose at working for commercial banks, insurance cos, retail asset managaement, etc.

One thing you can do now is start managing a personal trading account and get practice analyzing companies and doing write-ups on them. Being a member of VIC or sumzero etc is a good way to prove you can come up with a solid investment idea.

'Sota pride by the way.

There have been many great comebacks throughout history. Jesus was dead but then came back as an all-powerful God-Zombie.
 
Kenny_Powers_CFA
AgbamuThanks for the advice, I actually know quite a bit about hedge funds and private equity firms btw.
Oh well in that case, where can I mail the check?

Kidding aside, you're fighting a MASSIVE uphill battle-U of M is a non-target; UMD is non-existent. The points above about getting internships from the get-go are good ones.

ROTC/Military is a double-edged sword: on the one hand it's viewed favorably by business schools and employers, but on the other hand you spend the first few years out of college away from the public sector. A number of my friends who are rolling off their post-ROTC service are having a hard time finding the kind of jobs they would have chosen straight out of undergrad.

Be prepared to take the "long-view" approach-don't turn up your nose at working for commercial banks, insurance cos, retail asset managaement, etc.

One thing you can do now is start managing a personal trading account and get practice analyzing companies and doing write-ups on them. Being a member of VIC or sumzero etc is a good way to prove you can come up with a solid investment idea.

'Sota pride by the way.

Of course there is always more to learn, he just simply took it out of context. But i appreciate your advice. My mentor is a manager at PWC so I will more than likely work there post AF. As far as starting a personal trading account I have already start analyzing a few companies. Waiting for the right price to buy though (value investing).

Opportunity favors the prepared mind.
 
johndoe89Sure, we'll talk when you're a senior. Then you can tell me that you're still confused between whether you want to open a private equity firm or a hedge fund. I'm not trying to crap on your knowledge here, I respect your goals. But there's a lot you still need to learn if you're even asking these questions.
Lol this.
 
dabanobo][quote=AgbamuTo cut to the chase I am truly passionate about finance.

Then why aren't you a finance major?[/quote

Not necessary, with accounting I can do finance jobs, but no vis versa.

Opportunity favors the prepared mind.
 

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