Not necessarily rich or poor but the environment and exposure.
Well done Greenie. Sounds like you are doing ok now. Have you figured out which one is the salad fork?
Greenman, u ever despise your parents?
Be honest
WTF? If nothing else, reading internet forums have made me realize my issues are minor in comparison to a lot of you.
^ what? it sounds like his parents never gave him a leg up. Thought it was a valid question.
I got my first two interships through people connected (in one way or another) to my family’s finances.
Growing up in a well off family obviously helps, but being exposed to things early and in a way it applies to the kid matters a ton.
When I was a kid, I started getting stocks bought in my name when I was probably only 12-13. My grandpa would fund an account in my name and on birthday and christmas buy like 500 of a company that I knew, be it like AAPL or MCD. So I paid attention to stocks for a long time before I really understood what was going on with them. Also I'd hear my parents happy or complaining about the USD/CAD exchange rate. It took me a while to realize that most people weren't happy when the Canadian was performing like sh*t but most of my parents investments paid in USD so they were thrilled. haha
My parents and grandparents also did a great job of making sure I understood the value of money, whether it be us spending it on something or me getting money from a gift or part time job.
About 5-6 people I know just in my immediate circle who started out in IB at Goldman, MS, and JPM either started in their family firm, or were from pretty wealthy families and were fully focused on getting IB jobs from the day they set foot in college. For sure they are all intelligent and hardworking, but it’s foolish to deny or minimize the impact of your background. In all likelihood, there are many more like them.
My guess is the vast majority of the World would have called themselves lucky to have Greenie’s parents. Most folks do the best they can. Despise your parents??? They both have better played with your weenie or you are a complete punk.
^ its a matter of perspective. Played with my weenie? What does that mean?
Your guess sucks balls. America is full of horrible parents BUT because the kids are fortunate enough to live here they still get more opportunities than your average Ivory Coastian could dream of. Good parenting isn’t defined by geography. In fact, I’d say there’s also more opportunity for bad parenting in America compared to other places. That’s just my guess though.
Your self-centered little bubble. Despise. Do you know what the word means? Said nothing about good or bad. I don’t recall. Do you have kids? Any idea the hurt that is caused to aging parents if their children hate them?
funny to read rich folk kids argue with poor folk kids. gotta love america
I’d agree with this. I mean, just by the mere fact that I had a house with an air-conditioner, indoor plumbing, food, and clothes means that I’m probably in the top 10% in the world.
But we’re not talking about measuring our opportunities world wide, either. I think just merely the question “Has the CFA Charter helped you” kinda limits us to those working in finance (or in my case, accounting). And the thread has turned US-centric, as well. So I guess I agree with Sweep, too.
The time you graduate also impacts this (probably more than who your dad is). If I would’ve graduated just a few years before (or even a few years after), pretty sure I’d be on a very different path. And it seems true for lots of the people I know across the nation in my age range (I went to a boarding high school with very smart people who went to college all over). But it is what it is, you work for what you get. And making the best of the opportunities provided to you, so you keep as many doors open as possible. At least that’s my modus operandi
Sorry, I was assuming you guys were older for some reason!
You’re making less and less sense, and I’m not sure what your point is anymore, but as someone that disowned his own father - yes, I’d say I have a good handle on the situation.
That is also true. In fact, people have done studies and found that MBAs who graduate in recessions are less likely to enter certain fields, but particularly finance. The “best opportunity” for people with life advantages depends on the environment.
Probably who your dad is helps determine not so much whether you enter a particular field, but whether you are in a position to choose between many attractive fields.
To recap for the challenged. I guessed the vast majority of the world would consider themselves lucky to have had Greenie’s parents. You stated you felt that was a bad guess. Sounds like Greenie realizes he could have done much worse in the parent lottery. I know I could have. But, the point is my guess was accurate and you said it “sucks balls.” I see now that you were reflecting your own father issues. Explains your irrational attack on my statement. Personal bias is hard to overcome. Appears that you were unlucky to have a horrible father, but the number of parents that actually deserve to be despised has to be in the very low single digits. Wouldn’t guess that I would be in the minority in setting that bar very high. Most people seem to have a soft spot for their parents. Especially for the parent or parents that cared for them when they couldn’t care for themselves