Hi, I'm a Korean high school senior going to the University of Wisconsin. I have big dreams such as being a Wallstreet banker or being a CEO of a renowned company.
From those who have similar dream paths as mine or who have achieved any part that you feel proud of, please share key factors that drove you into the success.
I'd be grateful for all of your advice.
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Not a finance person but a successful engineer in Big tech.
I'm actively reading, and sometimes exercising. But what do you specifically mean by follow by system?
This should be interesting
What does that mean?!
I'd be willing to bet that valuinvestor21 is getting that from Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert. His book "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big" is where the introduces the idea of following systems instead of goals.
The main idea is this- a goal is something you want, somewhere you want to be. A system is what you do every day to advance yourself. Systems are the daily habits you get in to, like reading every day, learning from/interacting with successful people, maybe something technical like increasing excel skills every day or learning how to code, taking every opportunity to practice public speaking, etc.
Instead of making a goal of having executive presence, you have a system of practicing your posture each day, practicing your public speaking, practicing walking and sitting with gravitas. You focus on the journey and not the goal. It's an interesting way of thinking about it- it lets you claim little victories each day rather than having a goal that is in the distant future.
-Be flexible. Take experiences when they're available.
-As people climb the corporate ladder, they become more of a generalist than a specialist.
-Know the difference between a manager and a leader.
Transfer to a better school.
This is funny, but in all seriousness Wisconsin is a pretty decent school, and not that it really means anything, but I believe they have more F500 CEOs than any other school, or at least did a couple years ago.
Don’t settle on the first girl you are attracted to that you can easily marry.
If you think that there is better, than there probably is better, you will be miserable and have an affair after no greater than 5 years.
Find the hottest girl possible you want to date, and if you can’t date her date no one and live a free single life with no kids and travel the world whilst getting laid.
As an Asian who migrated to US for 10 years, I can probably highlight a few things that you should think about to maximize your success. I went to a US non-target undergraduate school in 2003, that was like 15 years ago. Just like everyone else I started as PWM (private wealth management) in 2006, and worked my way to to a multi-billion family office based in Asia.
Probably the typical path on WSO is Ivy Undergraduate > BB IBD > Ivy MBA > Private Equity > CEO/ Single Family Office/ Corporate Cushy Job. My career path isn't as straight forward as I would like but I managed to steer the way I wanted (after 12 years). I had worked at 10+ organizations covering 3 different countries.
So with that I would like to list out 3 key advice for your career.
Find a mentor. At any career stage, find a mentor that can help you to move up to the next level. Find someone that you can relate to you (i.e. Asian + Banker + Immigrant). Find someone who share the same value as you. And most importantly, someone who has vested interest in you. This will save you a lot from any potential career damages that you could avoid.
Delay instant gratification. Have a long term view on things. Delay getting married early so that you can keep your options open. I am 33 and not married yet. Have patience in life. Good things take longer and it is worth the wait. Don't take short cuts that perhaps do good in the short term, for which you shall pay dearly in the future.
Pivot to Asia. The world has changed and most growth will be coming from Asia, especially from Southeast Asia (look up report by KKR on that). Build a good resume and work experience in US but be more open to ideas globally - including moving to Asia. The world is more connected than ever. Think like American - logical and rationalized but behave like Asian - emotional and subtle. Take a look at CK Holding - Li Ka-shing on the corporate culture.
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