From "Poor Me" to BB

***FIRST: This is long so I'll put the cart before the horse real quick: THANK YOU WSO. To everyone who's posted insider knowledge, "day in the life" shit, interview guides, models, any feedback in general--you have provided knowledge that tuition can't pay for. I can't tell you how long I've looked forward to the day of writing my own success story on this forum.

ASPIRING MONKEYS: WORK YOUR ASS OFF

I recently received an offer from a BB for an ER associate analyst position! I'll give some of my background/story and talk about how I made it happen.

Non-target econ and finance double with a low GPA. Completely took college for granted--only cared about partying and chasing girls. Was always under a stupid amount of pressure via my family, so I saw college as a time to finally "relax". High grades (until now) came with ease, assumed I didn't have to try (fucking terrible mindset). No work ethic/experience with adversity/not used to failing. 100% my fault & responsibility.

Life crashed down in a one-month period: ended a long-term relationship, canceled going abroad with best friends, lost a friend to suicide. Wallowed around like an asshole, in total self-pity, and expected to be served up some saving grace. Saw the psych and got pills, you get it. Didn't work hard enough, grades suffered, scholarship probation.

I had no summer analyst experience to look forward to. Fortunately locked down a really cool summer internship out east through some networking (highly analytical, but not finance related). Got out of a really bad living/social environment at school. Went into the internship with a highly positive attitude, away from my past. I felt only responsibility to myself (in a good, non-selfish way.)

It was the happiest, most motivating 3 months of my life--had some sort of a "renaissance"--you guys ever have that point in time where you start dressing better/differently, exude confidence on all levels, care about all aspects of your life, feel like you're becoming a real man? Demonstrated to my university that I addressed my problems(saw a doc, got an internship, improved grades little by little)--won the fucking scholarship appeal (massive boost.)

Senior year was too little too late--started climbing the mountain. Locked down the financial modeling training materials. Became an avid reader of WSO and read M&I. Networked my ass off **(if there is one thing that you will see repeated incessantly on WSO for people in my position, it is the importance of networking. Yes, it is worth repeating for the 1000000th time.)*** I got lucky again, and an opportunity to get an MSFE fell into my lap.

I got a putzy job post-UG that I hated. Waking up in the morning was miserable. Also picked up hours working for the school. I was a full-time master's student. Put myself through hell--more responsibility in one year than the past 4. Every time I was about to crack I remembered where I came from and why I was doing this. I was one class grade off a 4.0. I did better than all the part-time students. Was able to polish my resume, prepare to sell myself, and apply for jobs.

Didn't get a bite on 15+ SA gigs. Knew of an ER AA opening through a friend's friend who worked on the buy-side but loved these people. He got me in contact and gave me a rec. Phone interview, face-to-faces with the group. Killed it all. Fit in perfectly, am a natural writer (gracias mama) and showed my passion. Beat out a guy with a year of experience.

I've never felt such a sense of pride in my entire life. I was one of 100+ applicants. Made my parents proud. Achieved my own happiness. Built confidence. Proved to myself that slaving away and showing determination can open up a dream career. Taught myself what it meant to be responsible. These are lifelong intangibles that will always outweigh any material output of my job.

For those of you that read this to the end, thank you. I hope those of you that are struggling take something from this. Other people had it far worse than I did and I loved reading their stories. Much love to the WSO community.