MICHAEL WERNER
Michael Werner has the wisdom of someone at least twice his age – he knew to cash out and travel while he was still young, but managed to keep the necessary bridges intact at Bernstein so he could come back to a more advanced position. Just 27, Werner now works with well-respected brokerage analyst Charles “Brad” Hintz in sell side institutional research.
Age: 27
Birthplace: Long Island
Education: BA’s in Mathematics & Economics, Brown
Profession: Sell Side Institutional Research
Current Position: US Brokerage Research Associate, Sanford C. Bernstein
When and how did you start doing what it is you’re doing?
I started in sell-side research about 2 months after college. I got into it as I had two job offers- one at Bernstein and one at Lazard. The job at Lazard (M&A analyst) required me to work 90-100 hour weeks - Bernstein wanted me to work 60-70. I just wasn’t willing to sell my soul... Had I taken the job at Lazard, I surely would have been axed with the coinciding downturn in investment banking, so I feel, in hindsight, that I made the right choice.
What was your best day on the job?
In fear of burning possible bridges I must decline...
If you could change one aspect of your job, what would it be?
The hours!
What quality has most enabled your success?
My ability to adapt. Fortuitously, my biggest strength regarding my profession is in the application of data (versus the memorization of data). Similarly, I feel that in life I am able to adapt to most situations I encounter...
What did you spend your first bonus on?
Nothing memorable...However, I used my last bonus to quit my job last February and travel Central America. I was able to surf, learn to scuba-dive, live with local families and learn some Spanish. What was meant to be a three-month trip ended up being a two-trip six-month adventure.
Most memorable encounter with ageism?
When I was promoted to Research Associate four years ago, a colleague of mine quit his job and blamed his quitting on me. This colleague had been raised in Russia (he came to the States five years before this incident for business school) and was 12 years my superior. Supposedly, he was dismayed that a 23 year old “kid” would be promoted to the same level as he. Luckily management saw through this ploy; he was allowed to quit and I was promoted as planned.
Whats on your iPod right now?
A little bit of everything, though I’d rather not get into specifics lest the RIAA come after me.
Are you reading anything?
During my travels last year I was able to read a bunch, but since starting my job less than two months ago, most of my pleasure reading has been substituted by work-related materials.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years? Twenty?
Well, first I just hope to be breathing...life is strange and I’ve already have had some close encounters. After that, I really just hope to be happy with what I’m doing in life.
Sushi or burgers?
Sushi.