Meeting with alumni, bring friend?
I'm meeting with an alumnus in NYC next week and was wondering if I should bring a buddy with me?
The guy that wants to come is my ride and is attending a non-target (not my school, the alumnus in question has no relation to him).
Should I bring him just so it isn't awkward? He doesn't necessarily even want to break into IB and I'm worried he'll make some dumbass comment like "hows the pay in investment banking". What do you guys think?
Will the alumnus take me seriously if he's with me? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.
I ask because the WSO guide suggested bringing a friend, but I'm just worried he'll say something retarded that'll embarrass me.
If you bring your friend make sure you wear matching shirts along with matching Tiffany's life parter bracelets. That way it won't be so awkward.
I can't believe you are asking this question. If I invited you to a party because you were my friend and we had a connection would you bring a friend without telling me? I pray you say no.
This is a meeting for alumni, do no't bring a non alumni. Not saying that they will banish him, but I think it would be in poor form.
Agree with Anthony. Don't spring that on the alum.
third wheeling is never fun I dont think your friend would want to go either tell him to keep the car warm
Do not bring the friend. The following is a true story (San Fran):
My friend went to an interview in a city he was not living in, and was staying with a friend who already worked in finance in that city. That friend was his ride to the interview. After my friend interviewed the interviewer walked him to the door, where he was greeted by this friend, whom he then introduced to the interviewer. The interviewer asked his friend what he did, then asked him inside to talk about a few industry things. The guy giving my friend a ride got an offer (which he took), my friend did not. This may be an extreme case, but my friend has been kicking himself ever since.
Wow... owned...
I did tag along to meet an alum with a friend once. But I went to that school too, and he already met the alum before, so it was really more of a casual meeting to set me up with more alumni in the city. Interestingly, I am now closer with the alum my friend introduced than he is.
Besides in the case I stated above (casual setting, not with the intention of landing an immediate interview/job) don't bring your friend.
Ugh, that sucks because I already invited this guy. Should I let the alumnus know? I really didn't think it'd be as bad as you guys thought as I am an upcoming sophomore so it's more for advice than an internship.
Dude has to be your boyfriend...
Just disinvite the guy and tell him it is an alumni only dinner, and that you miss understood the invite initially but you followed up on it a bit more and you felt that it was best that he didn't attend. Tell him you'll take him out after or some shit.
Update us on what you decide to do.........
why th f**k do u need someone to give you a ride in nyc, take the subway.
Man up and tell him he can't come...it would be in bad taste and that you shouldn't have invited him in the first place. Yeah, its going to sound like the dialogue from a Hugh Grant movie but you can't blow an opportunity to network by bringing along a liability because he is your ride. Good luck.
Regards
Definitely do not bring your friend, it is awkward and will dilute the efficacy of your meeting. Just tell your buddy that you are networking with an alum, and it would be far better he didn't come. You are doing this to help further your career so your friend should certainly understand.
How hard is it to tell your friend that he can't come to YOUR networking meeting? wtf is he going to do, cry and never talk to you again because you wouldn't let him third wheel it with you and your middle-aged man-friend at some restaurant?
Is this an alumni meeting about work or a drug deal? If it's the latter, bring more than just 1 friend.
Does the guide actually recommend this? I always thought it would be a big no no.
It was under "Informational Sessions" where it stated: Have a friend attend with you if possible. The two of you can feed off of each other, start conversations on different topics, and simply help make the conversation more comfortable if you work together.
i guess this doesn't apply to informational interviews as well as you all mentioned.
Anyhow, the banker asked to reschedule for next week so this time I'll be going and going alone.
Thanks for all the advice. You guys probably saved me from a bad impression.
My guess is that the guide is strictly talking about events where there will be several people (i.e. information sessions on campus, etc).
As others have stated this is a terrible idea. You asked for time with this alumni to learn about internships, etc, he is not expecting you to bring someone else. It would be very awkward.
do not bring a friend. It will only make it more awkward
Hell yea bring your friend! It's all good.
Make sure your friend says the following things: - I am from non-target school and note very interested in Finance - So what is investment banking? - How often do you trade stocks? - How much money do you make? - What do you do? - What's best stock to buy? - Do you think we are out of recession? - What is Dow Jones?
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