At a crossroads in life

Hi everyone,

I'm finishing up a term at a PE fund and could use some advice. I visit this forum for guidance from people in similar situations to my own. Sometimes I feel like I've accomplished nothing while everyone seems to strive ahead...

Background::

Undergrad: HYP (Dual Degrees in Math, English)

Extracurriculars: Managed allotment of $120MM endowment starting in first year of University, achieved consistent 34% annual returns for all four years of undergrad (sharpe: 9.83, for what it's worth) utilizing a wide variety of asset classes and private equity investments. Managed portfolio team of 40 professionals.

Internship (freshman): Renaissance Technologies (HFT engineer assistant, not really applicable to my current profession)

Internship (sophomore): Top "Megafund" (Junior Associate Intern, fund manages over $400Bn)

Internship (junior): Same as before

The thing is upon graduation, I had to take a job elsewhere when the market started to tank...so I ended up as an analyst at GS TMT/MS M&A and just tried to work past it (I know how it feels, compliance guy). I also completed the CFA in my spare time (more on that later).

After my three years I decided to pursue a different opportunity as an associate in the other of the aforementioned places. I kept coming for advice on what to do but people said I was trolling around and ignored me.

I really enjoyed my time as an associate, but felt the need to expand....luckily I was able to find a spot in another Megafund as a pre-MBA associate (distressed investing/restructuring group of a reputable fund) and I've been enjoying the experience, but I keep coming back to common advice I see here...what are my exit opps? Can I expect to work for a HF/UltraMegaFund PE? I've been at this fund for 4 years now but I don't see myself making Senior MD for a while.

So that's where I'm at now, I'm trying to figure out what my exit opps are and exactly what I should be doing. I also studied for the GMAT (scored 800...twice...just to be safe) and I am considering a good business school to help me lateral into a related position.

My worries:

1) Not securing a FT offer from my junior internship has reflected badly (This is the kiss of death I've been reading about...)
2) Doing the CFA (I was young and stupid..but how much will it count against me? Will the whole "only minorities do it" reputation hurt me?)
3) Not networking enough like my peers :(
4) GPA was 3.9/4.0 in University and I forgot to round up to 3.95, could affect recruiter's perceptions of me?

Have a great Sunday

 

Almost believable...until like the 3rd sentence. But overall good troll. This is far more entertaining than what usually comes out of these types of posts (Piper Jaffray or H&F bashing). It took some dedication to write a post that long...good job. lol

Reality hits you hard, bro...
 

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"The higher up the mountain, the more treacherous the path" -Frank Underwood
 

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