823 Advizers
Brandon
Associate
Aurora Capital Partners
UC Santa Barbara
UCLA Anderson School of Management, MBA
Q1Career path
Networking and Mentorship
Finance Career Path
Career Pivoting
2:59
"I thought of investing as a career path that was maybe a bit of a pipe dream, but was gonna take my shot."
Q2Main responsibilities
Financial Analysis
Investment Management
Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
1:44
"you are helping a little bit with the thesis generation. So what makes a good investment, why would this company be a good investment?"
Q3Day in the life
Financial Analysis
Industry Research
Portfolio Management
1:05
"There's really no cookie-cutter day"
Q4Most important skills - role
Analytical Skills
Investor Mindset
Organizational Skills
1:29
"analytical skill and organizational skills. You need to be able to do the analysis and, you know, be organized to get done."
Q5Favorite parts - role
Problem-Solving
Impact
Responsibility
0:55
"The level of leeway you have to just go get things done and make an impact is unprecedented."
Q6Biggest challenge - role
Competitive Market
High-Pressure Environment
Performance-Driven Culture
0:47
"current market conditions, this is 2024 that we're talking, um, fundraising is tough and so it's even more competitive."
Q7Favorite parts - industry
Investing
Finance
Private Equity
0:49
"I like the varied nature of the day-to-day."
Q8Who thrives in industry
Organized
Type A personality
Proactive
0:49
"someone that's very curious. You have to want to understand more about the company."
Q9Wish known before - industry
Career Development
Job Search
Overcoming Challenges
1:04
"it's really a skillset you develop by doing the job and doing the banking role"
Q10Entry-level positions
Financial Modeling
Investment Banking
Private Equity
1:17
"The typical path is to go into investment banking first as an analyst or out of MBA. You go as an associate, do a year or two, and then you can lateral into the associate role at a private equity firm."
Q12College ideas for success
Internships
Networking
Interview Skills
1:50
"Internships are becoming extremely important to have to get a job."