Q&A: PM at 28!

When you look at potential candidates for a (associate) PM role, would you consider analysts from major MM/SM shops at all? Or rather prefer traders from BBs? (assuming hiring a PM straight from competitor is not an option)

What does your comp look like?

Would you mind outlining your career path? Usually when I speak to people at funds they say that there is a very strict path for recruitment and success. Something like this: Undergrad --> IB for 2 or 3 years --> MBA --> Climb at a fund

Thanks!

Given the size, is it a fund you founded or one you got hired at?

how did you get to wher

How old are you and how much do you make?

whats ur comp and how much does it fluctuate

You have stated you took a very unconventional path to being a sub-30 hedge fund PM... can you please specify what things you did to convince your bosses to hire you?

How do you think your experience and comp potential compares to larger funds? what about exit opps?

Do you actually know what you're doing?

Not trying to be provocative, it's a serious question. If I was an investor, I would be incredibly hesitant to leave my money with someone who has 6 years of experience in the workforce, 0 of which in an asset management capacity (from your answer above). There is a reason the median PM age is not 28 years old - how do you answer this for investors?

How do you plan on structuring your book? In a role where many dont get a 2nd chance if they fail the first time around, presumably you want to make sure you dont bomb out before 30? How do you reflect this in your portfolio?

Whats better for HF exit ops? ER, IB, S&T?

There appears to be little-to-no chance that this post is authentic. I don't think I've ever seen an AMA post on this site with answers that are so vague.

how important was your undergrad? I’m planning to attend a target school this fall and wanted to know what your path was. Did you do an mba as well? thanks

How many people in investing roles at your firm?

how active of a trader are you? do you day trade in and out of positions? what type of securities do you invest in / trade? (equities, rates, fx, energy, metals, ags, etc..) how much leverage do you use? what is your p&l volatility?

YTD % return on your portfolio?

what is your strategy? what is your edge?

Thank you for your Q&A.

Excluding comp, why work in a HF over traditional long only asset management? in an environment such as this is a traditional AM not safer for job security etc? What would you say the reasons for choosing HF over AM in this environment?

What is the process/structure of a stock pitch at your fund? How does it work do PMs say ' go put together analysis on this company’ or do analysts independently look for companies to pitch to PMs in weekly meetings?

aside from COVID-19 what are some of the things happening right now affecting your portfolio?

How would you hedge against something like COVID-19 happening in the future?

Benefits of a junior choosing a MM over a SM?

Thank you

There seems to be quite a bit of bitterness from some people on here due to me becoming a portfolio manager at 28. I will make the assumption that most of the people irked by this post either a) climbed the corporate ladder for years to either become PM at a much older age or b) are wanting to get to the buy side but it's seemingly difficult. So it definitely makes sense that they would hate on someone who went to a state school, graduated with a sub 3 gpa.

Just sit back and watch the ticked off people trickle in with their comments attacking my competence, ego and career progression. These are the people that didn't have the intellect nor the drive to get to where they want... they're also probably the ones who tend to blend in with the crowd i.e. not the most ambitious, don't believe they can do the unimaginable or something innovative and believe that the career paths mentioned here are the only way to progress e.g. to get into PE you just have to work in banking for 2-3 years. Come on my guy!

As a note for the younger people and graduating students... networking and knowing the right people will trump your pedigree 100% of the time!

Sorry in advance if i'm slow to respond, my inbox is kind of backed up with messages, but i'll get back to you all eventually.

Thanks!

How would you say working at a small fund compares to working at a larger fund? What are the pros and cons? Is the the day to day work pretty much the same? Are you making similar comp? Also, how would you compare the modeling you do to modeling done in PE, or an Investment bank? How transferable are the modeling skills across these three industries? Finally, I know you said you worked in VC, how helpful has that experience been for you in your HF?

yourfateis:

Portfolio manager at a small fund >$100 MM, ask away...

I probably won't be as active on here, but i'll make sure I get back to everyone!

in the spirit of AMA = "ask me anything" here is my question:

as a PM (portfolio manager), what is your investing/trading strategy and what is your edge in that strategy?

Do most LS funds every make long-term decisions or are all trading decisions entered and exited within a year? How do I develop a good investing strategy that I should use right now that will eventually make me a successful hedge fund trader(I am 14 right now and very interested in investing). Do most hedge funds trade on earnings and try finding companies that will beat street expectations? What else should I do right now that will best position me for doing good in a large hedge fund in the future?