Weekly Blog #12

Due: November 24^th, 2014

By: Matthew W. Blair

       This week we covered some generic work and prepared for our winter showcase. We had to have our display boards done by the end of class Wednesday and today we had to create our guest lists.

       I am really excited for winter showcase and to put all of my research on display for everyone in attendance to see. I have worked very hard and have a lot to be proud of. In constructing my guest list I had some difficulty, as I put my family on the list but I was hesitant to put my friends on it. They are my friends, but I do not have a ton of confidence in their ability to show and conduct professional behavior. However I ended up putting them on the list because they are my best friends and who knows, maybe their unprofessionalism will make me laugh when I am super stressed. I have done quite a bit of preparation so far for this six weeks and winter showcase, and I am ready to get the mentorship process going. This year is going great so far and I have high hopes for my future that I believe ISM will help me succeed.

Weekly Blog #11

Due: November 17, 2014

By: Matthew W. Blair

       This week was typical in all aspects. I did not go on any interviews, but I have some leads that the guys at BBT Capital gave me. I am looking forward to meeting with them soon, as I am still a little lost in the process of finding a mentor and could still use some interviews to find them. This week I was able to conduct more research on hedge fund management. I have continued my reading as usual and have kept teaching myself in the field of finance.

       A big thing that I have started this last week and this week was my display board. It has been quite the challenge because I am not really skilled in arts and crafts. Luckily it has been smooth sailing so far and should remain that way until I am done. Along with creating and designing my display board I have been working on making my portfolio look more presentable than plain white everything. I have chosen a black, white, and grey color scheme for both my display board and my portfolio. As for next week, I plan to get a couple more interviews with professionals.

Weekly Blog #10

Due Date: November 10th, 2014

By: Matthew W. Blair

       This week was full of our usual work and interviews. The weeks are getting repetitive and the work is getting easier. This week I had the opportunity to meet with three individuals last Friday at BBT Capital in Dallas. I met with the CFO and head of Investor Relations, Ken McCarty, an Analyst sector specific to Consumer Stocks, Lars Moore, and the head of Marketing and partner in Investor Relations, Ryan Leach.

       Ken McCarty was a great individual to meet with. He supplied me with advice that will aid vastly in helping me get a job in the hedge fund industry. When I asked what was important in my future education, he gave an interesting response and said that it is important to take English classes to fluently talk with clients.

       Lars Moore is the person I originally set up an interview with and he helped set up interviews with Mr. McCarty and Mr. Leach. Lars was really fun to talk with. He said that I was on the right track and way ahead of what most do. He was able to recommend some research and new books for me to look into.

       Ryan Leach was the head of marketing and partner in investor relations. This interview was not planned and was kind of last minute, but he was really cool to meet with and has contacts that he is going to reach out for me to find me interviews.

Weekly Blog #9

Due Date: October 20th, 2014

By: Matthew W. Blair

       This week we were still tasked with finding interviews and the usual weekly blog and research assessment. I was successful in all of those areas. Just Friday I locked down two interviews for next Thursday with a Hedge Fund analyst and the firms CFO; both of which I am highly excited to go on.

       This week I wrote a research assessment on why hedge funds do not advertise. The answer is simple, they are exclusive to accredited investors and they have no need to advertise. The article said that only desperate funds have used advertising, but when you think about it the hedge fund industry is attractive for its how lucrative and elusive it is. Hedge funds were not given the right to advertise their services as investment experts because they typically are registered as Limited Partnerships instead of investment banks/firms. They still however answer to the SEC, the Securities and Exchange Commission, but they register as Limited Partnerships for the safety and simplicity it offers.

       Next week I will have two interviews on Thursday, so I will have conducted a total of five. I am hoping that by the sixth interview I will have met someone who I really like and who stands out.