In this episode, I interview Ashley Wu, who went from being an athlete at Yale University to working at UBS’s TMT Group in New York and in private equity at Thoma Bravo. Watch this episode on YouTube here - https://youtu.be/yeiwU48CCEc 🧑‍🏫Wharton & Wall Street Prep PE Certificate Program🧑‍🏫 ► Use code RARELIQUID for up to $500 OFF ► https://secure.enroll.wharton.wallstreetprep.com/referral/fkx0rrss/s2yqD1GUkwps4u5h 💧rareliquid💧 ► Sign up for my investment banking course ► Sign up for my how to get into MBA course ► Sign up for my management consulting course ► Youtube ► Instagram ► TikTok ► LinkedIn ► Business Inquiries: [email protected] ------ 🧑‍🎓Career Resources👩‍🎓 ► Buy My Banking Recruiting Guides ► Wall Street Prep (Use code RARELIQUID for 20% OFF!) ► TTP - The BEST GMAT prep resource ► Books I recommend ► My filming equipment ------ ⏱Timestamps⏱ 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:31 - Overview of background 00:07:39 - Initial interest in finance 00:10:00 - Utilizing resources at Yale for finance and banking 00:11:41 - Tips for networking in finance 00:14:21 - Timing for sending thank-you emails post-interview 00:15:15 - Resources used for securing a position at UBS 00:17:26 - Initial months of working at UBS 00:07:36 - Yale experiences leading to a career in finance 00:14:15 - Qualities of a successful investment banking analyst 00:26:25 - Highlights and challenges of banking 00:35:15 - Choosing to transition into private equity 00:38:45 - Thoma Bravo's company pitch 00:41:27 - Discussion on full buyouts 00:41:41 - Typical debt percentage in deals 00:43:01 - Profitability requirements for investment 00:43:19 - Managing risk in potentially unprofitable investments 00:48:11 - Involvement with portfolio companies 00:48:13 - Operational support from Thoma Bravo 00:50:11 - Changes in management post-acquisition 00:51:57 - Decision-making on management team adjustments 00:53:19 - Perspectives on the necessity of private equity 00:55:49 - Valuable insights gained from working in private equity 01:06:50 - Walking through a PE deal 01:11:10 - Discussing work hours during intensive periods 01:14:10 - Enjoyable aspects and surprises in PE 01:14:18 - Challenges in PE beyond work/life balance 01:18:00 - Deciding to leave PE for further education 01:19:56 - Integrating lessons from Adobe into future roles 01:22:40 - Aspirations for becoming a CXO 01:24:58 - Key lessons from the Wharton experience 01:31:20 - Advice to younger self