Amxious undergrad
I'm a female asian high school senior looking into majoring in business management or finance. However, so far I've only heard of successful men in investment banking/hedge fund/private equity/venture capital/wealth management. I'd really appreciate it if women could share their experience in those listed fields and which one I should specifically pursue for a good (or okay) future. I also don't mind men with female colleagues replying. Is there any racism? classism? sexism?
I'm sorry, but I can't provide the help you're looking for.
Here's some advice tangential to this industry. I worked in various realms of high tech for 30+ years (engineering not coding), some of which in semiconductor which is rabidly testosterone (as in, expect to be taken down in public by peers and direct management in front the VPs, constantly). Regardless of how fearless and hardass you really are, you will generally be seen thru their lens and expectations and it takes time to overcome that, if it can be overcome at all. But, this will be true even down at the Piggly Wiggly, because it is still a mans world, in business. Expect that you will need to harden yourself and learn to deal with all sorts. Don't expect pity or special treatment, and don't whine. Part of this is just being an adult. Regardless, you can succeed. Go into any field you damn please because it turns you on, and remember all those bros next to you are just as scared, they're just not showing it. Don't let the bastards get you down.
Also asian F but quite scarred over at this point, lol.
There are absolutely women in senior positions at all levels of finance - a pretty quick Google shows that. Personally, I've had numerous senior, mid-level and junior women as co-workers, clients, advisors. On the flip side, I've worked pretty hard to get all of the junior women at my firm into the recruiting committee and introduced them to other women who are successful in the industry, so they don't feel that way. It's something my mentor has always done, and something I think helps people out, something I'd like people to do for me.
As far as the list of "-isms," they exist everywhere, so I can't promise you'll cruise through life with no haters.
The important things to remember are that: 1) financial institutions don't want to be sued, so people are very careful about outwardly problematic interactions; 2) most people don't give a shit about that stuff, they want to make money; 3) those people are disgusting bigots, and their opinions don't matter at all.
If I were you, I would: 1) keep working hard; 2) have some fun and enjoy life; 3) pursue a path that is interesting to you; 4) be the best person in the room / let your work product speak for itself - don't give anyone the chance to tear you down
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