How crazy would it be to start an investment partnership right after graduation?

Trust me: I know this sounds like a bad idea; I'm here to gauge the extent to which it's a bad idea.

Bottom line: Professors and career center have been encouraging regarding starting a small investment partnership and/or SMA business post grad (BBA finance/MS Accounting from mid/low-tier private university).

They have even offered to put up their own money (for one, a significant % of liquid net worth) and mentioned they would be willing to be involved in the business.

I look up to these professors, and find it hard to believe they would make an offer like this to just anyone (for context, we are talking about authors of--what I would call--serious textbooks, and Ivy League PhDs); yet, I find it even more difficult to believe that I am, somehow, the chosen one who will be able to parlay this into a viable business straight out of school.

The only person I could even think of who experienced something similar was Seth Klarman. The big difference is his professors brought him $27 million and he was salaried from day one (on top of him being an investment guru from Harvard; and, I think those professors had direct investment industry experience, unlike mine). I'm guessing I would be lucky to get near $1 million AUM, and I don't have the heart to take a salary in the beginning, as it would have to come from equity capital put up by initial investors, which might never be returned (under the--highly likely--scenario the firm doesn't reach critical mass).

To make matters worse, I have:
(a) No wealthy family members (mom and dad work government jobs);
(b) Little to no wealthy direct connections (well, I have had one ex wealth manager--once at big box firm; book was about $50+ million when they left--ask to work with me; but, I had even more self doubt than I do now and turned them down. I am still close with them, so I could beg and cry.);
(c) No real work experience (only HF internship);
(d) A (relatively) short track record with only a couple grand (switched to writing research when I took money out for school--tells you about my financial situation); and
(e) Done 0 work on this pipe dream to date; so, I would be starting everything from scratch in the middle of June (e.g. looking for clients, finding dirt cheap fund services).

I just graduated from master's program, and am looking for traditional work experience (HF I interviewed with said lack of experience (see: IB) was their only issue with me as candidate). I am already horrified as it is, as I am taking CFA II next week; all four parts of CPA in 1 - 2 months; and still don't have a job (my dumb ass thought I was going to go the academic route and completely blew off a serious job search until the last minute).

As you can tell from the writing above, I was not born an optimist; yet, a small (microscopic) part of me humors the idea--of chasing "the dream".

Realistically, though, how soon do you think it would be before I file for personal bankruptcy?

I'm just looking for advice at this point--anything would be greatly appreciated. Also, I would be happy to provide more info upon request.

Thank you!

 

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