How much of success in this career is just luck

I am an analyst at one of the mid-sized multi-bn SMs. Recently was informed that I will be getting that promotion, the one to the terminal level at my fund. My day-to-day responsibilities won’t change too much and I am very content with that. I love what I do. However this will set a very high baseline for my comp. No one who ever gets this promotion leaves or is pushed out where I work and it’s very cushy. I feel incredibly grateful but also have been reflecting a lot on what brought me here.

I wasn’t the sharpest kid going into finance at my school. I wasn’t the best analyst in my banking group. I didn’t get the most prestigious buyside offer out of banking. (Although I would contend I was top decile in each of these)

When I reflect on it, It has just come down to knowing the right people at the right time. This and this alone has resulted in n=1 outcomes for me. So often in my career, kids have asked me for advice on what I did right or how to follow in my steps. I never realized it, by my answer to them has always been some variation of “I just got really lucky in a 1 of 1 situation so I can’t really help you.” So many things had to align for me to be in the position I am in today. If I was anyone but myself, it never would have worked out.

To be transparent, I do believe you can generate alpha in this industry. That’s not the “luck” I am talking about. I am talking about luck in regards to the firms I have been able to work at, the mentors I have been able to learn under, and these opportunities all being available at the exact times that I needed them.