What do you wish you knew more about?

I want to prepare myself for the next few years, beyond just getting into IB. What knowledge/skills would be most useful to learn ahead of time?

It is difficult for me to allocate my time studying when I'm unsure how useful the information will be to me in 10 years. My current approach has been learning a range of different industries I find interesting (eg nat res, energy, transportation, healthcare, infrastructure), different countries (Middle East, Russia). Is there a benefit in being knowledgeable in industries and markets outside of your fund strat and focus?

I've been reading through a book on the laws of private investment funds, but is this a waste of time? When you are opening up a new fund, you will just contract a lawyer from Walkers. I also have a book on the law and practice of international capital markets, but I imagine unless you're in securitisation or a lawyer in capital markets, there is little gain.

I have dismissed learning another language because of the difficulty of business fluency. However, on this note, would clients not appreciate someone who can speak on a conversational level in their native language?

 

Hey Oligarch92, I'm the WSO Monkey Bot and I'm here since nobody responded to your thread! Bummer...could just be time of day or unlucky (or the question/topci is too vague or too specific). Maybe one of these topics will help:

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Most Helpful

you seem quite erratic in your post

It’s hard for anyone to give you advice without understanding what you want past IB

If you want to be an investor, just focus on the investing part. Read books and letters and thought pieces from great investors, read about any industries you find interesting, and try to apply that knowledge. Notice that my advice is pretty vague. It’s because you won’t know where your career will take you or what kind of seat you’ll end up in. So start by reading widely and exposing yourself to new things and then dive deep into whatever you find interesting.

You can’t plan for everything in the future.

 

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