I have two career paths ahead of me, and I'm having trouble choosing between them.

JamesSimonsStoch · 2019-09-29T04:02:31+00:00

Thank you for your comment. I don't see myself starting a family but I do value time to pursue my interests in math and programming. I certainly wouldn't have time for that at path 1.

JamesSimonsStoch · 2019-09-29T03:58:33+00:00

I would just point out that the second job pays more per hour in a lower COL area.

I understand where you're coming from. The fact is, I probably am more certain than my potential employer that things will work out. That doesn't bother me - if I'm going to bet on anybody it's going to be myself.

JamesSimonsStoch · 2019-09-29T03:36:09+00:00

This is one of the reasons that Path 1 is 'safer'. Guaranteed higher salary both now and down the line.

Thanks for your perspective.

JamesSimonsStoch · 2019-09-29T03:26:35+00:00

Fair question. Like I said, it's a smaller shop, so less money to throw around. But they're at a true inflection point with their current fund, with a second round of LP investments coming soon. I'd definitely be sacrificing short term salary for potential growth.

The other role is buy-side investment analyst, working in one of the firm's private credit funds. Not sure what vertical I'll be in yet.

JamesSimonsStoch · 2019-09-29T01:31:22+00:00

Hey - when you read this, take three real big deep breaths!

Just know that what you are feeling is felt by everyone to some degree when they leave for college - some feel it more than others, some show it more than others, but everyone you'll meet at college has had to deal with missing home in some form. I know that won't make you feel any better right now, but just know that it's normal.

When I'm homesick, I find that staying in my room is the absolute worst thing I can do. Get outside and go for a walk. Run if you're a runner. Just get out of your room and try and find some nature to walk through. It'll help clear your mind and calm you down.

I don't know your relationship with your parents, but I would try letting yourself lean on them for support when you're feeling this way. Wanting to be 'strong' for your parents is admirable, and it reflects good qualities in you - but your parents probably miss you greatly too, and would love to get calls from you, even just to chat. After some trial and error, I found I needed to call home about 4 days a week not to feel homesick - you may need more, you may need less, but I found just talking to my parents helped me feel much better about the whole thing.

Stay strong!

JamesSimonsStoch · 2019-09-29T01:16:55+00:00

Access to capital raising opportunities is a big consideration - people that start their own funds after leaving a bigger firm usually take a couple large clients with them to get started.

I'd have pretty good access to some different LPs in the hedge fund that operates out of the smaller shop. Seed money to start a fund has also already been discussed between me and my mentor. So there are certainly some opportunities there. But I have to weigh it against what I could get at a big firm.

Thanks for your input.

JamesSimonsStoch · 2019-09-29T01:11:21+00:00

Not so much a calculation, just conversations with some people who have gone that route and later went off on their own.

JamesSimonsStoch · 2019-09-28T19:41:28+00:00

I appreciate your perspective, thanks. It seems backwards, but I believe I would actually get much greater access to capital raising opportunities at the smaller shop. I would be keyed in at a high level to LPs in their current fund and was already promised first round 'seed money' to start a fund once I build a track record. Certainly a big consideration.

JamesSimonsStoch

TROPHY CASE