From Immigrant to International Fund Manager

I always did well throughout school. I was a quick learner and up to any challenge. I decided that a second language could always come in handy when least expected. Besides, it was a life long dream of mine to travel abroad and do work all around the world. I was exceptionally talented when it came to any type of mathematics or economics. Therefore, there was little or no consideration before I chose my field of study in college. I now have a Master's degree in Business, another in Economics as well as an Associate's Degree in German.

I chose my second language, German, because I had been interested in Germany all my life. I hoped that in some way by learning to fluently speak the native language I was one step closer to my dream of working in a foreign country.

Before I could reach my goal of being a successful businessperson in the far away land of Germany, I first had to get to Germany. I took a job at a high profile investment bank in New York City. I knew well ahead of time that the secret to becoming successful in business is never what you know but who you know as well. Every prosperous businessperson I know makes frequent trips to New York. I saw it as putting myself in the path of opportunity.

It did not take me long to figure out who was who in the company where I chose to work. I made it a point to put myself in a position where influential business personnel would notice me. I started as an entry-level clerk, but my degrees alone got me to the next level as soon as a position for investment advisor became available. However, I seemed to be stuck in a position that was not moving me as fast up the ladder as I had hoped. I had to go out on my own.

I had been saving money since college graduation and had enough that I could afford to travel to the country of my dreams, Germany. It was finally a possibility. I put in to be transferred through my current job, but was unsuccessful. Therefore, I turned in my resignation, emptied my bank account and was on my way. I was not sure where I was going or what I was going to do once I got there, all I knew is I was going; I was finally going!

I managed to do a decent job of finding a place to live quickly upon my arrival to the country. Now I was an immigrant in a foreign country. My dream was finally taking shape. On my second day in Germany, I was waiting for the local bus to take me to my first job interview and heard two men discussing Ship Investments (Schiffsbeteiligung) . Being the know-it-all that I am, I offered my two cents on their situation. The gentlemen happened to be very prominent businessmen. One man was the chief investment officer and the other was the CEO of Hannover Leasing. The men were so impressed with my knowledge of funds and investments, not to mention my fluent German, and I was hired on the spot. In the few minutes while waiting for a bus I went from immigrant to international funds manager. My dream had come true.