The Warm Intro by Oba #13

Networking, Consulting & Deferred MBA Events + More

Author

oba ajayi
October 11, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

I'm Oba.

I had 7 internships in college, got into Stanford GSB, and founded HeadStart Fellowship. Now I share what worked on LinkedIn and Instagram.

This newsletter? Everything you need to land your dream role.

What I Wish Someone Told Me

This week's insight: Treat networking like making friends, not job hunting.

Most people only network when they need a job. They show up with a list of scripted questions trying to look smart.

People see right through that.

I used Athletic Greens every morning. Fire product, so I reached out to about 20 people who worked there. Only one responded.

The only person who replied? Their CFO.

I wasn't looking for a job. I just used the product and had questions about how they built it.

The difference: In your personal life, you don't show up to coffee with 10 questions. You ask one thing, listen, and bounce around based on the conversation.

Networking should work the same way.

Only reach out when you have a real reason. You use their product. You're curious about their work. You read something they wrote.

If you're reaching out just to reach out, don't.

The takeaway: Stop trying to look smart. Start being curious.

Don't Miss These

Sponsored by Leland: Leland is hosting a FREE Consulting Sprint (October 14-16)! Join days of workshops and panels hosted by former managers and interviewers at MBB & more. They will share tactical advice on networking, resume building, and case interviews, all packed into a focused sprint to boost your chance. Sign Up Here

Consulting Sprint (October 14-16) Kickoff · Zoom · Luma

Join us for Leland’s Consulting Sprint Kickoff! Come hear from top consulting experts Erik Z. (Bain), Yash G. (BCG), and Emily H. (McKinsey) who have helped…

Deferred MBA Success: Getting Into Stanford, Harvard & Wharton · Luma

Join us for the Deferred MBA Breakthrough Workshop - Tues, October 14 at 6:00 PM EST Come learn from Oba (@Obatried), who got into Stanford's deferred MBA…

First Internship Blueprint with Oba - @Obatried · Luma

Join us for the First Internship Blueprint Workshop - Thursday, October 16 at 6 PM EST Come learn from Oba (@Obatried), who landed 7 internships including…

Career Strategy Call with Oba 10-60 minute strategy call with someone who landed 7 internships and got into Stanford GSB. Get the exact framework I used plus see if ongoing coaching fits your goals.

Paid Part Time Remote Jobs Platform Paid part-time remote roles paying $40 to $270 per hour across different fields. SWE to finance to teaching. 20-40 hours per week on your schedule.

Target Test Prep Exam prep I used to get into Stanford GSB

Resources This Week

Stock Pitch Examples by a former Hedge Fund Analyst

Links for additional Resources can be found HERE

The Free Newsletter Fintech and Finance Execs Actually Read

Most coverage tells you what happened. Fintech Takes is the free newsletter that tells you why it matters. Each week, I break down the trends, deals, and regulatory shifts shaping the industry — minus the spin. Clear analysis, smart context, and a little humor so you actually enjoy reading it.

New Opportunity

Wells Fargo is running Project First-Gen: CIB, a 5-week virtual program for college sophomores (or anyone interested in finance). Free access to senior people at a major bank and insight into how CIB actually works. Register here

Wells Fargo Project First-Gen

5-week virtual program for college sophomores (or anyone interested in finance)

oba

thank youuuu if you if you made it this far