Posting from a throwaway account because my story is unique.
I come from a very disadvantaged background and had to witness immense financial duress throughout my childhood. My mom took care of us all through our childhood and there is one particular incident that stands out from this time. It was when I was around 12 years old and went with my mom to a pawn shop where she sold some of the belongings she had received from her mom so she could pay for her education and I think that was the day when everything changed for me.
I wasn't exactly smart and was pretty much an average student. However, experiencing my mom part ways with her trusted belongings for us ignited a fire within me that has kept me going till now. I grinded my ass off throughout high school and worked thrice as hard as my more smarter peers. Eventually, I made it to an IBD feeder for undergrad.
Because of my background, I had no idea what investment banking was and found the adjustment in college with wealthy peers extremely tough. I continued to grind and got top grades throughout the first two years of college. I went to every single networking event and even though I felt extremely out of place. I kept three jobs in college so that I could support my family. Did not party or have nearly as much fun as my friends but I knew that if I kept going I would make it.
A few months ago, I signed with a top group for a SA and have been meaning to share this with you all.
Congrats my friend. This is awesome. Your family is probably so proud of you.Come from a similar background and when the job gets tough I think back to stuff like this and remember how lucky I am.
dam man respect +100
you should let that fire drive you to work harder but don't let it consume you either. treat yourself and have fun sometimes too
if you ever want to move to PWM, we could always use people with your hustle. my inbox is open
congrats on your success so far
Congrats on how far you've come thus far. With that being said, isn't it a bit premature to start celebrating now? The real work lies ahead.
Don't get me wrong, not trying to diminish your accomplishments, but I grew up being homeless from time-to-time during my childhood. Drug useage and crime is standard on the streets, but luckily I never succumbed.
I can relate to your journey and we're one of the few lucky ones to make it given our circumstances. Every industry... technology, accounting and even entrepreneurship have some people with backgrounds like ours.
For me, it started with literally flipping burgers at McDonald's. To get promoted to assistant store manager, needed at least a GED. A little after I got that, I saw that McD offered tuition reimbursement, so I enrolled at the local community college. Was looking to make some friends and get my mind off my shitty life at the time, so I figured attending school would hit two birds with one stone.
Ironically didn't really need tuition reimbursement because my income was so low that financial aid covered 98%.
Being at community college lead to transferring to a no-name state school, especially when I went there. Over the years, the school's rep has improved, which is nice to see. I met my now-wife there and we have a wonderful family together. Even though I came from a broken household and was only a shift manager at McD, she knew I had brighter days ahead.
Once I got my degree in business administration, I applied for a job at McD corporate. Apparently, I was "overqualified" for a position at the restaurant level. Ended up getting an entry level role in corporate finance. I think the interviewers really liked my "story", my background, and the potential PR.
My boss was doubly ivy educated. It's here where all the pieces fit together; I finally learned what M&A was, the appeal of getting an MBA, and the different paths that existed (Corp Dev, IB, PE, etc.). Also can't imagine how my life would've turned out if not for technology like computers and the internet. Note I don't have a Linkedin for all you sneaky bastards out there. But even if I was outed, wouldn't really care tbh.
I did end up getting my MBA from an M7. My boss above wrote one of the rec letters. As I type this, still can't believe a guy like me saying "M7". After working for a regional IB in restaurant M&A, I've been with a LMM PE that has a food and beverage group.
Unbelievable how flipping meat patties at McD has shaped my career/industry focus. Not trying to brag or anything, just realizing how lucky I got. FWIW, I'm a straight white male.
Sorry, OP, for taking over your thread.
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