Phone Call with Well-Known Fund Manager

I met a well known (appears on CNBC, books written about him, etc.) midwestern based fund manager at an event a few weeks ago, and I got a chance to introduce myself and we spoke for a short while. I asked him questions like "what can I do to best position myself for success in your industry at this point in my life" (I am 18 and starting Uni this fall) , etc. we discussed value investing, Buffett, and current market trends. He eventually had to go and gave me his card and suggested I give him a call. How do I make the most of this opportunity? My goal is to be able to work for him over next summer and actually learn from his years of experience and success, but how I do I introduce that in the conversation and not come off as someone looking for a job but as a genuinely interested student looking to learn? Would really appreciate some feedback. Thanks!

8 Comments
 

Not Ken Griffin. Don't want to say specifically who but he is probably as well known as Ken Griffin except in the value investing world. Do you have any advice as to how I can go about this, though? Really trying not to blow it.

 

I don’t think griffin wastes his time on CNBC. He doesn’t need to sound smart for investments.

You would think chicago based though. John Rogers is the only value guy I can think of here. Played basketball with him a few times. Nice guy.

 
Most Helpful

Have a shortlist in mind of who you’re probably referrIng to. There’s definitely not a “right” way to play this, but I would probably try to read some of the investing book classics you haven’t gotten to yet and then in a month or three reach back out to set up a call or coffee chat as you “happen to be passing through” or something like that. Just leave it up to him and don’t be forceful, but say it would be great to catch up. In person is best as then he will potentially invite you to the office to meet other people and then you can network with them etc.

Don’t worry about coming off like you’re asking for a job. You aren’t even close to employable for a real role so it really isn’t a thing. I would take advantage of that type of low pressure setting to get to know him and try to just meet more people in his network. People also probably would like to give you some of their time given how you are taking this type of initiative at your age. After you do several iterations of this process, then you can start bringing up “if they know anyone looking for interns” type of thing as your push to get an internship.

 

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