Hard to believe that on this day 20 years ago, I joined my firm. A short stint turned into an amazing 20-year ride. Seems like only yesterday I sat at my cubicle with my landline (no cell phones), Pentium PC running Windows 3.1 (no browser), and HP-12C. No regrets but wish I could go back and give my younger self some advice:
- Master Excel. It will be the way companies will confuse investors for the next 100 years.
- Remember those fancy dinners and limo rides when you were being recruited? Good. At least you’ll have the memories.
- When they offer you a pager, say, “No!” Trust me, the device may change but that dog leash is going to be with you forever.
- Keep the faith. You’ll eventually see your family and friends again . . . five years from now, in 1998.
- Not everyone has nervous breakdowns in this job. Just the people in your Analyst class.
- Don’t worry about being in the building during the Northridge Earthquake. I hear the building is earthquake proof.
- Stay away from those third servings at breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, midnight snack, etc.
- Buy clothes that are 2 sizes too big. You’re going to ignore #7.
- Tell people you’re an advisor, not an i-banker. You may think it’s cool now, but in about 20 years even your mother will tell her friends that you’re a financial consultant.
- Not all managing directors are jerks. Who knows, you may be one of them one day.
Can’t wait to see what the next 20 years will bring. . . .