Blogs

I decided to email this farewell blog to the firm for those who don’t check the blogs on a regular basis. I figure it would be smart to also email it to all employees—Jerry Maguire style—t o give everyone a nice opportunity to read what may be my last blog on the site. I use “maybe” because perhaps I’ll be asked to guest blog every once in a while, which I would happily accept. I’m thinking of picking up comics per inspiration from Sammy F.

I never thought my last day on the desk would be one of the most stressful. It wasn’t that I had that much work to get done on this quiet Friday in August, but I feel an emotional weight on my shoulders as I reflect on my time here over the past six months. By now everyone most probably knows how I ended up working here but I’ll refresh everyone’s memory. I figure the story can never be told enough as it’s not your most typical entrée to employment.  I was training at the yoga studio downstairs to become certified to teach yoga as a part-time endeavor and I ran into Zach, probably the one friend I would least expect to see in a yoga class. He told me he was working upstairs at a hedge fund and went on to say they’re always looking for more trainees. At that time, I was 6 months out of college, a part-time student and part working for a family startup, and was eager to get a job where I’d gain skills in the financial markets and business in general. I went on an interview where I was told I would gain a knowledge base equivalent to that of an MBA degree. I took the job as a trainee where I would earn next to nothing of an income and I never looked back. Essentially, I took a job with “zero risk and infinite upside” to quote some of the trading lingo I’ve picked up on.

Rather than focus on the reasons for my departure I’d like to take the opportunity to address some of the things I’ve learned and thank everyone on the desk for making this work experience probably the most rewarding, fun and challenging jobs I will ever have in my life (although I hope not) . One of the first blogs I wrote was listing the things I hoped to learn as a trader at TFG and I can say without a single double that I can check off every item on my list. I am very proud of the work I did for the desk and of the skills I’ve acquired here, but one of the things I learned on the desk is how to make decisions when they need to be made. I can’t say I won’t have any regrets leaving (especially if HFL makes it big), but I do know that this is what feels right for me at this point in my life both personally and professionally.

If my lifetime membership to Hedge Fund Live is honored, you can bet that I will tune into the broadcast and contribute to the member community. Lastly I thought it was appropo to list some kernals of wisdom, advice and idiosyncrasies I’ve picked up along the way at HFL that I hope to carry with me on the rest of my lifelong journey.

Zach:  how to be as blunt as possible

Betty: extensive excel knowledge

Tynik: most intense work ethic I’ve ever encountered

Judah: how to be easygoing in a stressful environment and to always answer “yes got it under control boss”

Saad: never try walking over a frozen pond

Sam: how to not be so awkward in front of the camera

Dean:  Wam Bam Thank You Mam. Adding skepticisms into my life in EVERY aspect.

Mosk: How to read charts, how to fill air time with banter, and how to love the great RUSH

Schwartz: how to figure things out yourself and how quote really bad movies

JF: How to make decisions and how to not include the weeds in communication. Also, NO AMBIGUITY

Alan: Pride is Permanent