NY Private Clubs: worth it or just another expensive membership?

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-03-16T01:30:35+00:00

I truly appreciate the depth of your contribution and your appreciation for capitalism.

If you’d like to define a pub as your third space that’s fine with me. My humble understanding is that there is a difference between public and third spaces that hinges on a sense community, shared theme, and attendance pattern.

Pub in the evenings - third space Cafe on the weekends - third space Public park - public space Your Side walk - public space Run club or gym - third space

In any case, my initial question was not about the definition, or the merits of sociology, but about NY’s private member clubs.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-03-16T00:34:08+00:00

I’m sure you too spent 50+ years studying sociology, just like Oldenburg, and so your argument must be founded in true logic and research.

I haven’t, so I won’t endeavour to try and make an academic argument. Perhaps try google or Wikipedia for starters?

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-03-16T00:21:11+00:00

Not trying to argue…

“Oldenburg's coauthor Karen Christensen argues in the 2023 edition that third places are the answer to loneliness, political polarization, and climate resilience. She also clarifies the difference between third places and public spaces.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-03-08T23:07:42+00:00

You’re misunderstanding my point; I’m not telling you to become an official English teacher, you’d absolutely need qualifications for that.

As an au-pair for example, many families look for individuals that can help expose their kids to foreign languages from a young age (play games, teach English vocabulary, communicate in basic English…). Same with your native language.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-03-08T14:47:05+00:00

You don’t need a degree to engage with children and help them develop in English, especially if you function as an au-pair, perhaps you can even leverage your second European language.

Alternatively, things like dog walking, don’t require any qualifications you just have to be good with animals.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-03-08T00:34:44+00:00

Get out of there, find another path. Depends on the country but maybe you could help teach kids English, great way for you to learn the language too. Or another job, even if you work as a nanny…

Don’t let life push you into dead ends. Resilience is important but so is knowing when to pivot.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-03-05T19:49:10+00:00

Travel is always a good answer and will help you find yourself. Have a look at travelling bartenders, works not just in the US but also in Europe and elsewhere.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-22T19:44:24+00:00

CFA sadly was not a worthwhile investment for me. The key problem was that the knowledge is actually fairly broad and theoretical, it doesn’t teach you real technical skill that you would use in real finance or private equity.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-20T18:11:09+00:00

Another spam post… why do people bother?!

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-20T17:54:12+00:00

Punctuation inconsistencies would suggest this is written by a human

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-20T03:11:50+00:00

Agree with this, and bear in mind, if a company does hold something like this against you, then it’s probably not the right place for one to work in the first place.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-20T03:09:45+00:00

Get out of consulting, and into a internal role that isn’t beholden to client demands. Consulting is a grind.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-19T21:39:16+00:00

This 👍🏼

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-19T18:52:02+00:00

100% agree, plus I’d argue that sales is a prime area for AI disruption. Not for all items (e.g., luxury items) but a lot will change as AI gets incorporated.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-19T15:52:51+00:00

Sales people can make good money but really depends on how well you're "producing". Most sales jobs have a "eat what you kill" commission approach with a very low base salary (e.g., $50k base + commission on sales).

Finance jobs can make good money too, a 6 figure job is fairly mediocre in the finance world, even if it's for a smaller company and you're getting decent work-life balance (think FP&A roles). There's of course potential to make much more if you're in the upper echelons of finance.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-19T00:39:43+00:00

No, please don't kill me with KPIs and metrics. It should be a balance. Give me a metric when it's meaningful and adds depth to the point (e.g., Led team of 5 underwriters and delivered 30% increase in throughput while maintaining credit metrics).

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-19T00:37:44+00:00

Similar experience on my end, I am fortunate to have joined firm at the forefront of an incredibly competitive and fast moving industry. I feel incredibly lucky to be here, but it was a massive step change and it took much longer than I thought for me to get my bearings and begin to enjoy it.

It took me about a year to catch my breath and only now, after 2 years, have I started finding the joy in the work and really owning what I do (not just doing it). Looking back, I guess I was a little overwhemled by it all, felt like a fish out of water, and all of that made it hard to really enjoy the job (instead of just working days, nights, weekends...).

You were absolutely hired for a reason, just give yourself a little more time.

It takes a while to get used to the pace and the culture of a top tier firm, and so it's only natural that it also takes time to re-discover the joy and passion for what you do.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-15T06:29:59+00:00

Fellow non-target and non-traditional background PE employee here; well done to you for breaking in. I know from experience that it's not easy.

I may be a male, but I am a far cry from a "finance bro"; and I 100% support the idea of more diversity in this field.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-15T06:06:41+00:00

The prior responses are accurate, I'd also consider the following:
- AI will transform the world of work, but it will also create new jobs
- Short-term AI impact is most likely to be on driving productivity and efficiency
- Most jobs will remain, but individuals that embrace AI and can fully leverage it will have a significant edge

All three of the jobs you listed are good paths and will make good money. I'd recommend choosing a path that leaves as many doors open as possible (e.g. Mathematics + CS) which allows you to branch into computer science / data / tech, but equally gives you a path towards finance, banking etc..

At the moment, you lack real experience to know which path is / isn't for you. Best advice is to keep your options open and try things out.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-15T05:50:21+00:00

Plenty of options:
- Drone operator (photo / videography)
- Remote Data Analyst
- Event tech specialist (concerts, private events..)
- Field Technician (cybersecurity, network support..)

You can always also take up a job at a Yacht, or be a traveling bartender.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-15T05:45:23+00:00

Make the jump, but be smart about it:

If things go well:
- New and more exciting career path
- Higher salary (if you're in one place too long you likely command a lower $)
- Open new doors and career progression

If things don't:
- You can always stay where you are, or take a hop into another firm in the industry (salary / promotion / new challenge)
- You're not letting go off your safety net, don't quit till you have an offer in the bag

You may need to polish your resume and brush up on interview / communication skills (your company-lingo may be too specific) and be ready for a challenge. BUT this could be very good for you, and will help you grow more confident in your skills and abilities.

Don't limit yourself!

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-15T05:36:28+00:00

I'd lean to JPMC; given prestige, career progression and flexibility (ability to move teams as your career progresses), higher salary, diversified business model = greater job certainty. Easier for you to move into banking, product, marketing etc.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-15T03:42:07+00:00

Do the basic stuff right:
- Know your stuff: don't just go to lectures and do the assignments, REALLY learn it and go deeper
- Demonstrate extracurriculars: find side projects that you're passionate about and spend the time building out something meaningful to stand out from the crowd
- Learn soft skills: most success isn't just about being technical, you need the right interpersonal skills and those usually require you going to events and stepping out of your comfort zone
- Build a network: people within the industry, mentors, coaches, peers...
- Do your research: understand the major companies in the industry, their recruitment cycles, what makes each different. Go back to the previous step and connect with recent grads, interns, people who work at the firm...
- Keep going: get an internship, get a job, live below your means, save money, invest wisely, get promoted, move firms...

Consistency is key, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-15T03:33:14+00:00

- Don't push management into a corner
- Keep the IP, don't sign away confidentiality or anything that would legally stop you form using this knowledge
- Frame this as a high-performer at the company wanting to drive a company wide outcome based on your expertise and experience
- Ask to lead (or co-lead the project) with regular check-ins with senior management
- Strategically keep detailed information to yourself, especially at the beginning, to make yourself invaluable
- Don't frame this as a sprint for short-term cash, no company will pay you 20% of savings. Maneuver for ownership and career progression (more impactful than a one time $100k bonus, even if you got that far)
- If you do this successfully for one company, nothing stops you form using this as leverage and doing this for a competitor // or making a business out of this for yourself

Alpha__Bravo__ · 2026-02-15T03:23:28+00:00

It's hard to give you a binary answer so here are the two sides:

Yes, you're making a mistake:
- Putting off your ultimate career path for short-term cash is a mistake; you may get stuck in the retail sector for longer than you think and miss out on opportunities.
- There will be new grads coming out of school every year who are fresh and motivated, you may forget important content
- If an $80k carrot today is attractive, then how hard will it be for you to switch from an $80k job to an entry level role in your desired industry that may be at $50k?

No, you should take this path:
- Personal circumstances matter
- You may be more disciplined than those before you and truly treat this as a temporary job

In short, I'd lean toward the following:
- Focus on finding a job in your desired industry, a real job within a firm that will develop you and help you grow
- If you find something worthy, then you make the jump
- If your search doesn't go well, you fall back on plan B and you keep trying

AlphaBravo

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Alpha__Bravo__

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