my dad was an orphan and grew up working on a farm. he put himself through school as did my mother (for the most part). they met selling cookware door-to-door one summer during college and hit it off. they thought it would be best to have my sister and i work our way through school, too, so we did. 5 years out of college and i’m making mid-70s, about the max my mom ever made as a teacher and not quite yet at my dad’s rate. the main thing they’ve taught me is that your true value is the quality of your effort. and also that its hard to get doors to open so you have to take advantage of every opportunity you get.
Wow, I’m surprised to see so many rags to riches stories here. It’s interesting to think about the psychological makeup of a group that would spend time on a CFA forum. A lot of the drive and need for self improvement must stem from our childhood hardships, being poor, knowing the sacrifices involved, and how much it sucked 
I too, was raised by a single mother who made around $30-35k. Not poverty, but things were often tight. Luckily I did well in high school and got a generous scholarship to a well regarded (at least regionally) LAC. I’d like, someday, be secure enough to have a nice house, car, and a family that doesn’t have to worry about money (assuming we live within reasonable means). Living paycheck to paycheck blows.
I grew up in Kenya, we were nine in my family, mum was a housewife and dad a primary school teacher. I went to a local high school (used to walk 15 kms daily, crossing two rivers which at times would overflow and block me from going to school). I wore shoes for the first time when going to secondary school (actually put them in a bag when going to school, I thought they inspect them before wearing). Used to look after cattle after school. Did well in high school - and qualified to join one of the best public unis in Nairobi, studied accounting and finance, then qualified as a CPA. Worked for four years as an accountant in Nairobi, while moonlighting as a lecturer in the evening in diploma colleges. Saved for my MBA aivednd was admitted to UCLA. I could not get US Visa due to finances. I went to Australia and completed MBA in 2008. My savings were only for one semester, so used to work three jobs - temping as an accountant during the day, working as a teaching assistant when not having classes in the evenings and in a factory over the weekend (manufacturing ice creams). My mom suffered from cancer and passed away two years ago, and I had to educate my two young sisters. I received Australian residency based on my experience and currently work as a Financial Analyst with one of big mining companies, making about $100,000. Bought a house here and planning to get married. Looking back, all these experiences have prepared me for challenges in life - taught me persistence, optimism and humility. And a desire for the simple things in life - a happy family, good health and love always. I participate in Charity - and sponsor a girl through World Vision in Africa with similar names like my late mum . Reminds me the virtues she taught us as kids - hardwork, generousity and concern for others. (I was inspired by a book called Gifted Hands by Ben Carson when I was in grade 10, and vowed never to let my circumstances define my destiny.)
Hat’s off to you Mzungu
Mzungu…great story…are you a CFA charterholder?
I have CFA Level 1, sitting Level 2 in June.
I have CFA Level 1, sitting Level 2 in June.
Great story Mzungu…I know quite a few people from your part of the world who have done well for themselves.
Damn man. That’s pretty inspiring.
My grandfather on my dad’s side went from rags to riches. He grew up in South Korea during the 1930’s/1940’s. Both of his parents died before age 10 so he was an orphan. At this time, the country was very very poor. Being young without a home, he used to go around the town and eat left over dog food. He worked his way through high school and graduated at the top of his class and received full tuition/boarding at Tokyo University, the best university in Japan. At this time, relations between Japanese and Koreans were extremely hostile. I can’t imagine how much $hit he probably had to go through. He graduated at the top of his class in university and got recruited by the Korean government. He essentially rose up and became the equivalent of the head of the CIA of Korea. I’ve seen old photographs of him and the EMPEROR of Japan and with 4 and 5 star generals and whatnot. Anwyay, I’ve never met him because he died when I was young.
AlphaSeeker Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Naked, Bizbanker, good wit on your sarcasm… > > My story: grew up in a poor country, where my > parents pulled in a combined income of $50-$80 > dollars a month for 15 years. On top of that, mom > retired early due to medical problems. They now > make $200 a month total income in my home country. > > > No milk, steak in my country when I grew up. Even > cloth, sugar and cooking oil were rationed for a > good decade. Studied hard and scored the top 1% of > GMAT, Toefl, etc, got scholarship at a top 5 MBA > program. Got my CFA along the way too. > > Now I am in my late 30s, I admit that I don’t fit > that moderate riches level by any means. I pull in > $500k a year myself and my wife makes around > $200k. So you can see why I have such a strong > opinion on the income taxes in this country… > > Needless to say, my parents are well taken care of > now. Great success story. Kudos to that… BUT… You would assume that someone like you would believe that people like your parents deserve a shot to see outside of the world they lived in. You make $700,000 and think you need it ALL… I hope at least that you have a scholarship under your name to help disadvantaged kids somewhere here or your home country. I myself also grew up poor and doing ok now (nothing close to what you do) but still feel that I need to do more to help people like my parents and seekers like myself. Maybe taxes aren’t the best way to do it, but it does something. Some people pass through a dark maze, and when they get out of it, take the only candle with them and never look back until they want to brag about their success story.
Seriously loving this thread. Extremely motivational, and really puts the “OH MY GOD I’M SO BURNED OUT FROM STUDYING FOR THE CFA EXAM” whining in perspective.
This thread really makes you see that overcoming the CFA exams are nothing compared to the obstacles faced by others in this world. My fullest respects to all of you who are persevering.
When I grew up, sometimes our chef would make dinner with onions, and I hate onions. That kinda made me oppressed a little bit, no?
^ that’s funny.
Born outside the US, my parents had borrowed money from everyone they know to send me and my brother to a good high school, and they couldn’t afford anymore to send me to college (public high schools were horrible, and you might as well not go). That was their goal in life, to send us to a good school and invest in us. They had no other prospect for success but through us. My uncle had bought my flight ticket, and another uncle had given me $500. I arrived here with exactly $341 and a $4800 tuition bill, on a payment plan. I started working for $6/hour, 40 hours/week, for the 1st 2 months, then $10/hour for the next 2 months, and then ~$15 for the remaining time. I would take 21 credits/semester to get the credits above 12 credits for free, and take summers off of school and work full-time, 70 hours/week at a restaurant and save enough to pay my fall semesters tuition. The last year, between work and a research assistantship at school, I was working 50 hours per week, plus 21 credits/semester. However, I was surrounded by great people who helped me a lot. Great friends who helped me get my 1st job and were there anytime I needed something, and a family member who gave me his $1000 car and lent me the 1st tuition plan payment. I owe them big time, and I will look to pass it forward. Now I look back, and I have no wild stories to tell about my college days. None. Just work and studying stories and a sweet girlfriend who was there for me throughout. Now, six years after graduation, I’m close to six figures, but it doesn’t feel like it, as I have 2 families to support. But certainly not complaining and I am grateful that I can do it.
reebs81 - How were your grades during this time (if you don’t mind me asking)? I will soon have a similar schedule as your college workload and am dreading how it will impact my grades… The last time I did this, I was just struggling to survive.
^ I had a similar story. I was pushing 21 credit semesters while interning at a bulge bracket (my future 1st job out of school) for 30 hours…at the time, squeezing those 21 credits into 3 days of the week didn’t seem like such a bad idea. My grades took a toll.
I graduated with a 3.97 GPA. One B in my first English class. But I really had no life, at all. I would see my friends once or twice a week after leaving the library, for an hour or two. And I would see my girlfriend after work, as she worked at the restaurant with me. If I can do it, anyone can do it.
^Did you ever sleep? Wow. What were your study techniques?