#14 - Ashley Wu - (UBS, Thoma Bravo) | Investment Banking, Private Equity

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: ben@rareliquid.com------🧑‍🎓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 - Introduction00:01:31 - Overview of background00:07:39 - Initial interest in finance00:10:00 - Utilizing resources at Yale for finance and banking00:11:41 - Tips for networking in finance00:14:21 - Timing for sending thank-you emails post-interview00:15:15 - Resources used for securing a position at UBS00:17:26 - Initial months of working at UBS00:07:36 - Yale experiences leading to a career in finance00:14:15 - Qualities of a successful investment banking analyst00:26:25 - Highlights and challenges of banking00:35:15 - Choosing to transition into private equity00:38:45 - Thoma Bravo's company pitch00:41:27 - Discussion on full buyouts00:41:41 - Typical debt percentage in deals00:43:01 - Profitability requirements for investment00:43:19 - Managing risk in potentially unprofitable investments00:48:11 - Involvement with portfolio companies00:48:13 - Operational support from Thoma Bravo00:50:11 - Changes in management post-acquisition00:51:57 - Decision-making on management team adjustments00:53:19 - Perspectives on the necessity of private equity00:55:49 - Valuable insights gained from working in private equity01:06:50 - Walking through a PE deal01:11:10 - Discussing work hours during intensive periods01:14:10 - Enjoyable aspects and surprises in PE01:14:18 - Challenges in PE beyond work/life balance01:18:00 - Deciding to leave PE for further education01:19:56 - Integrating lessons from Adobe into future roles01:22:40 - Aspirations for becoming a CXO01:24:58 - Key lessons from the Wharton experience01:31:20 - Advice to younger self