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Career Profile Instructions

Please CLICK on each title to reveal a new section. There are three sections to every profile; an extensive questionnaire "We asked" , an average day broken down in detail "A Day in the Life Of", and a place where you can ask the profiler a question directly in "Ask me." (You must register to use the "Ask Me" feature)

Associate Career Profile— Male, age 24 (ID #3379)

Check this profile out too: associate director
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1. Employment Profile: What exactly does a n Associate do?

  What field is your job in?

Private Equity

  What is your job title?

Associate

  Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for
(size and general description of what type of organization it is)

Private equity firm focused on making long-term investments in small- to middle-market US and European private companies

  How long have you been employed in this position?

3 months

  How many hours do you work a week on average?

55-60

  Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)

• Lead operational improvement initiatives in the areas of inventory control, work-flow efficiency, and optimal space utilization at Hi-Tech Manufacturing (a Longview portfolio company) • Monitor financial and operating performance of portfolio companies, developing models on a weekly basis to assess their financial health and present the findings to senior partners • Evaluate potential targets for acquisitions, performing operational and financial due diligence to determine investment feasibility

  What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.

$60000

  What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.

70000

  Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)

2 weeks PTO, health insurance

  Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?

under compensated

2. Work environment!

  Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Explain

I work with our partners once a week on evaluating portfolio companies and potential deals. Partners are very helpful with guidance. The rest of the week, I work at our firm's portfolio companies where I interact with the CEO and CFO to manage the company's direction. I enjoy this aspect thoroughly because it allows me to learn about managing an organization and developing leadership abilities.

  Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?

Yes

  Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?

Yes

  Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it

  Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.

  • 3 Income
  • 5 Work Environment - co-workers
  • 2 Work Environment - supervisors
  • 6 Benefits
  • 8 Hours
  • 1 Level of responsibility
  • 4 The actual "work" you do at your job
  • 7 Job Title

3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours?

  If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?

I would recommend that he/she do a lot of research about the industry and to learn as much as they can about finance and accounting. Staying on top of current business events is a must, and having good 'people' skill is essential to success. Network as much as possible, and show an eagerness to succeed.

  What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social skills, organization skills, technical skills)

They have to have great social skills and be able to interact with people from different backgrounds. In my position, I interact with the CEO and CFO extensively, as well as the hourly workers. Hence, I need to put on different caps when I meet with different groups of people. Being organized and paying strict attention to detail is also essential. Finance is a numbers game, and you need to make sure the work you produce is error-free. Finally, people interested in this field need to know the ins and outs of basic corporate finance and an understanding of current markets.

  Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?

Absolutely, an undergraduate degree is crucial to being successful.

  What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?

Again, I would advise that they go out and network as much as possible, and stay on top of financial news. They should also take extra time to master principles of accounting and corporate finance.



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