Always looking for an exit?
Forgive me if Im still green around the ears, I am a student/prospective monkey talking here. In recent conversations and even on these forums I keep coming across the topic of exits. Everyone seems to be interested in making their exit, in some recent networking I've been doing even people at MBB, or top PE firms are talking about their dream exit. I don't understand their thinking, why the top GPA, honors courses, GMAT prep, MBA programs, massive debt... etc. just to get a job you're ready to exit in 5-10 years. I understand that the connections, and money are fantastic, but does it really offset the upfront cost?
The irony is, some people are trying to exit to MBB while others want to go into PE/VC or even... IB. It seems like its a "grass is always greener" type of situation. And yes, some people go into corporate development roles, government, or even executive positions for their given industry, but even then it seems silly the path people take.
As a side note, and this might really get things riled-up, I don't think working a job is a very efficient way of making money. As someone who's enjoyed some financial success(then proceeded to lose a lot of it) I feel like working your 16-24 years off trying to get a "high-paying job" really seems like a waste if all you're doing is chasing the money. If money is a top concern (like I think it is for many on this form) then why not try your hand at a variety of entrepreneurial ventures (real estate, arbitrage, start-ups... etc. really anything under the sun). I seems odd to me that we go to college for all those years, spend all that money, work so very hard, just to earn a high salary to pay off that debt and to one day exit.
Yes, this post was a bit ranty and I hope I haven't upset too many tummies. I'm green, and want to learn, whats the thinking behind all this? Monkeys?
Making money is not as finite as you make it seem. The reason people do these things is because its one of the most risk adverse ways to make money. There's a well travelled path telling you where to go, and that leads to more money. However, the point of this is so that in the future (exit ops) you can take risk without having to worry about your livelihood. As well, being in MBB, IB, PE, etc. helps you take a more calculated risk, and in turn, increases the likelihood of success.
Just take it slow and follow your own strengths. Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, hell even Elizabeth Holmes made a lot of money in their lifetimes but it's all relative if you look at all four of those names. I mean, 3 out of those four have had to sleep on a couch, I'm sure, at one point. But I think taking a professional career is a little more linear, if you can do the: Top HS grad --> Top Ivy --> IB/MBB --> MBA --> Senior role in finance career. You will most likely make solid money without a break in comfort, eventually hit millions through smart planning, and could possibly use that type of money to fund small business ventures. So, life is a process. You have to understand your own strengths because working for an IB is not necessarily a bad or a good thing, but can be either of those things if you aren't sure of yourself. Just a couple of pennies.
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