I recently had a call with one of the mentors from Wall Street Mentors. He was a nice guy that after answering a few of his questions he seemed inetersted in my profile. I didn't message him to talk about helping me get my next job but about what I could do to reach my end goal of working in Emerging Markets Asset Management. I chose him based on his similar experience (he did EM PE for a BB) and I'm glad I did. He advised me that getting a job that would train me in financial analysis/modelling is a must (so IB, ER, Buyside Research), and to cater myself as an EM specialist on my resume/networking as much as I can.
He was very real with me based on my background and told me the realities of my expectations. Since I went to a non-target, the next 5-10 years are going to be crucial for me to get to my goal. Luckily I have a profile that he thinks will be amazing in the next few years as according to him I'm 'unique' in the sense that I want to work in a EM country, I speak the language and know the culture (at least of LATAM).
Finally, he mentioned he wants to keep in touch and looks forward to hearing back on my developments. I'm happy to have chatted with him and I think the service is worth it.
One big TIP for everyone that's thinking of doing this. Learn as much as you can about the mentor you choose. I google/linkedin him, read his blog, his numerous profiles, deals he's been part of etc. If you are interested about what your mentor has done in his life, I think he's going to pay more attention at what you have to say.
My mentor is awesome. He gave me tons of insight and angles to work in the PE recruiting process and really helped bridge the informational asymmetry gap. He was very good at sizing me up and understanding what sort of story I was supposed to work with when interviewing.
My only problem is that he's super busy and hard to nail down for a follow-up call.
Very interesting - thanks for sharing your experience.
I'm skeptical by nature, so these kind of services always make me uneasy. However, I do have a lot of respect for WSO and everyone generally seems happy with WSO guides/products.
With this mentor service, I do have something that I don't understand, maybe someone can make sense of it for me.
• Most of these mentors are highly qualified and educated in their area, and if they're still in the industry, undoubtedly making pretty serious money. So what's their motivation for providing this service?
At a consultation rate of $99 (on the highend) an hour, which I'm assuming is split with WSO, this won't do much as a supplement to a full time income.
• Is just to give back? • Are they out of the industry and have the extra time? • Is it a mix of factors?
Would be interested in hearing others' thoughts or explanations.
The mentors primarily participate out of an interest of giving back/helping out, as well as staying engaged with young professionals in the industry. They really enjoy sharing their expertise. The monetary aspect of the service professionalizes the platform.
Could possibly be a mix of things but mostly likely just giving back and helping others out i would say. i'd do the same after a certain point.
Thanks for posting this, I was on the fence about taking advantage of this service but not anymore.
It's to give back. The mentor I spoke with (when I was looking for a mock interview/assessment) told me generally donates the fees he gets from the program. He just wants to help out the new era of people looking to expand their career.
I have two mentors:
A VP at a BB and the head of corporate development at an energy company.
VP was happy when I contacted her and she praised me for seeking help+ advice
Corporate guy (met on the train) keep me updated about his career, his executives training and so on
Both are open to talk to me because it's an ego boost to know that you are helping a little one. Not only that, there are simply people who are nice. Behind the swinging dick persona, there is a real human being. You just have to know how to approach them.
When I email or call my mentors, I tell them a little bit about my work, school, etc.. then I start asking them questions about themselves. People enjoy talking about themselves, so I help them do that and they feel good about knowing that a kid is swallowing every word that they say with admiration.
Good to hear some more positive experiences and why the mentors do it. Will definitely consider it in the future.
My mentors are not from WSO. I was just answering the general question about why people accept to be a mentor
unforseen, great to hear - thanks for sharing your experiences guys.
Thanks for sharing. Although I already sort of have a mentor it is definitely something that I'd like to try sometime.
Where can I talk to a WSO mentor?
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/wall-street-mentors-finance-mock-intervi…
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/wall-street-mentors-finance-mock-intervi…] Are most of them are NY based. If member is in CANADA, will you assign the mentor from canadian market ( oil and gas ).
Who was the mentor ? I am thinking of paying for the mentor service.
Funny thing, like you, I am also interested in LATAM asset management, and I speak Spanish and Portuguese.
I believe the mentor was Patrick (his bio is below), and you can sign-up for a mentoring session with him here:
//www.wallstreetoasis.com/wall-street-mentors-finance-mock-interviews
Patrick has more than 10 years of investing and advisory experience. He founded and serves as the Managing Principal of Dirigo Advisors, a consulting firm that works with businesses operating in the emerging-market and technology spaces. Before launching Dirigo, he was a Vice President of PineBridge Investments, a global emerging-market investment firm managing more than $5 billion. At PineBridge, Patrick sourced, structured, executed and monitored growth equity investments in Latin America, Central Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He also advised portfolio companies on matters including strategic and financial planning, capital structure, acquisitions, business development and exit opportunities. In this capacity, he invested in and sat on the boards of four companies.
Prior to joining PineBridge, Patrick was an investment professional on JPMorgan Partners' Latin America team, working in both New York and São Paulo. While at JPMP, he executed 10 investments in the region, with particular focus on early-stage investments. Patrick started his career as an investment banker in the Latin America group of Chase Securities, Inc.
Harvard Business School - MBA Georgetown University - BA
Wow! I have been thinking about this for a while, but still wonder if I can have some professionals with F-1 visa prior to their residency?
Even Wall Street people like to give back sometimes, as crazy as that sounds
would like to learn more what are the negative reviews look like.
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