I recently attended a lecture with David Bonderman, founder of private equity firm Texas Pacific Group, at the University of Colorado Law School.  He seemed like a very interesting guy; didn’t fit the stereotype of a big-shot dealmaker at all.

As you would expect, a alot of law students and others in the audience wanted career advice from him. 

How can I get into private equity? 

What’s the right job to get first? 

If my grade point average is only X or I didn’t go to Harvard or Stanford, should I just give up?

His response was classic!  Here is David Bonderman’s career advice:

1. Relax
2. Develop a good sense of value
3. Be likeable

I love it.  He says he’s never planned in advance in his career, and that he thought he would be an archeologist. 

People get so hung up on making all the right moves.  One of the most important things you can get through your head is that nobody can or needs to give you permission to be successful or to do the things you really want to do.  If you are waiting for something or someone to say it’s ok, you’re in trouble.