Over 8 yrs ago someone singlehandedly pulled me out of poverty. Knew him because I trained with his wife who is a professional athlete. He was leading a group at Citi and I desperately wanted to be an analyst. Didnt have the resume for a fancy banking job but grew up in public housing and the job was to help finance affordable housing projects. He called me and said “I will not get this job for you. However I will refer you and teach you whatever I can”. I got the job. It moved me out to SF which completely changed the trajectory of my life. One year in I received my first big analyst bonus. $20,000. I couldnt believe it. I felt ashamed. That was so much money. I messaged him and asked if they would take it back. This was his response. I read this often.