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Even if you don't have anyone in your life who could give you advice about the industry, you are capable of finding your own way. It's what everyone has to do, even nepo babies have to show themselves capable at some point. One thing I could have picked up on sooner was having an awareness that it's okay to feel confused at times. There's a lot to learn and it can take time, and you can't knock yourself for not knowing everything on day one.
Pro
Great response 👍
The unspoken truth is that the majority of people feel like that. Whether they’ve had all their family and friends in finance or are the first person ever to do it. Most people are more concerned with themselves and figuring it out than you.
Yes, it is. Seems like everyone but you has it all figured out.
Pro
Everyone starts that way no matter how you start. Pay attention to leaders and try to mimic how they see data/make decisions.
I worked in financial services for over 10 years and was quite senior. Every time I asked “the dumb question” it was crickets. Don’t be afraid to ask the 101 question. Like “how does x,y,z product work” or like “why do we do this step in the process”. Chances are nobody even realizes that’s the question that needs to be answered before anything else can happen.
How do you think it would be different if your dad worked in Finance. You think he'd sit you on his lap one day and tell you how to format a Powerpoint, and that his precious gift of knowledge would withstand all changes of industry norms over time?
My dad was kind of in Finance, but a very different field from me, and he was the last of the generation to end his career without having to learn how to use a computer - he still had a secretary print out all his e-mails, and he would draft replies long-hand for her to type out. His knowledge on any practical area was of no use whatsoever, and although he could give some thoughts on office politics, I could get similarly sound advice about general human nature from my granddad who was a bus driver.
We all learn by doing the job, and by screwing up. There is no handbook, and no unbreakable code of how to do things - you are doing things a certain way right now, because that's how your manager likes it, or how your firm does it. The next manager, or the next firm, will be utterly horrified and some of the practices that you are currently learning as "the way things are done".
Feel like everyone learnt the same way. When I asked my manager how he knows what he knows he always says read lot & years of experience
You can learn from everyone, even the incompetent ones. Someone asked me where i learned what i know about managing people, and my response was that i've had enough terrible managers that all i have to do is the opposite of what they did when the same situation arises.
its rough at first it took me a few years to get it down. You can do it. I am a first gen in the financial industry as well and i believe in you even if i dont know you personally.