Aspiring biotechnology analyst
Hey WSO,
I know this is a long shot, but I am looking for help breaking into the industry.
I rejected my laboratory supervisor's offer. I began immunological research so that I could help alleviate the most human suffering possible, but after two years of merely characterizing HIV immunopathogenesis, I wasn't satisfied with my trajectory. I wanted to contribute to the development of medicine.
The three undergraduate elective courses that I aced in economics and my role as Healthcare Sector Analyst taught me that the ultimate arenas for raising factors of production in any industry are the capital markets. Thus, I realized that I could create the most positive impact on human suffering possible if I could manage to facilitate the capitalization of ideas that would lead to new and improved medicine. I embraced the revelation, enrolled in the CFA program, began actively managing an equity portfolio and started a comprehensive review of capitalism's history. Sixteen months of merciless effort later, I had scored within the top 10% of CFA Level 1 writers and had written a thesis to culminate the requirements of a Master's degree. Now having just returned from a solo three month voyage across Asia to expand my horizons and reset my psyche, I've amassed a 53.8% total return on my portfolio and am ready and excited to start my career. I can think of no better place to do this than in the mecca of finance: New York City, so I moved here to pursue my goal.
I'm writing this post because I am hoping to be introduced to someone that has a position at a biotech/pharmaceuticals focused hedge fund or private equity firm. It turns out that these firms have security that don't let you in when you show up with a resume. I could not possibly be more hungry to become a financial analyst in a role in which I can learn what actions create and destroy value in the healthcare industry and use this knowledge to create profit that can be invested toward pushing the frontiers of medicine. If you know anyone at a firm like this, or can give me some advice as to how I might be able to land the position that I am looking for, I will be ecstatic to hear from you. Also, as I'm new to the city, I'm very open to meeting new people and would be happy to talk business, science, travel, etc. if you'd like to get together for a drink. I've posted my resume below.
advsd
Can't see the resume, but a few thoughts - not trying to be harsh, just realistic/honest
1. Reach out to current biotech analysts, you can find them and their contact info on LinkedIn. No one is going to respond to an anonymous WSO post with a job for you. Ask for 20-30 minute phone calls. Don't ask for a position at their hedge fund, just get their thoughts on the industry and figure out how they got there. You want to have a network within the space. With that said, most PE/HF positions are filled using headhunters out of healthcare IB, you are going to have a hard time trying to get in with no finance experience.
2. The CFA, personal portfolio return, and absolute hunger you keep talking about are basically meaningless unfortunately. As said above, finance is based off of experience only and it doesn't seem like you have enough to step into a hedge fund or PE unless it is a very small fund. You may want to consider an MBA to get into healthcare PE.
3. Don't talk about alleviating human suffering through the capital markets or any of the stuff you're talking about, people will think it's a weird reason and you need to express some interest in finance itself rather than a grand worldview. Say you'd rather look at healthcare from the financial angle and understand what drives these companies' success rather than work in a lab, or whatever applies. Generally try to come off a little less intense than this post. It's great to be enthusiastic about the space but being extremely obsessed is a negative in the finance world.
Best of luck man
I dont like you
Do you have aspergers?
Terrible tone. Bad man. +1 MS.
Damn son, your profile is pretty good. Ever considered pharma/biotech consulting hahaha? PM if you want to learn more. Always keen to hire smart people in our team.
Just sent you a DM
Hey guys, thanks for the genuine responses. This is an old post that I edited to remove my resume, but I don't have Asperger's, and did get a biotech hedge fund gig in the spring. All the best for 2021!
Great job - had I seen this when you posted it I would've recommended targeting HC IB/ER roles and pivoting to HF/PE after. Really happy to see you skipped that IB step. Interested in the high-level story you pitched to PMs etc when interviewing
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