Episode 8: Omar Dinar (pt. 1)

In this episode of the Push Pull podcast, we explore the fascinating career journey of Omar Dinar, currently a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. Omar transitioned from an engineer working on military helicopters to working in financial services, starting his finance career in the aftermath of the subprime mortgage crisis at Lehman Brothers. Omar shares insights into the challenges he faced, the impact of the macroeconomic environment on his career path, and how he leveraged his education and networking opportunities to pivot successfully. Omar's story of resilience, adaptability, and relationship-building offers valuable takeaways for anyone navigating career transitions.

00:00 Introduction to the Push Pull Podcast
00:38 Meet Omar Dinar: From Engineering to Finance
01:55 Navigating the Financial Crisis
04:47 Early Career and Mentorship
09:49 Transitioning to Finance
19:52 Pursuing an MBA for Career Growth
24:51 Navigating Multiple Internships
25:41 Philosophy Behind the MBA Program
28:27 Choosing the Right MBA Program
30:19 Final Internship Experience
30:36 Joining Lehman Brothers
32:15 The 2008 Financial Crisis Unfolds
38:50 Life After Lehman: Transition to Barclays
41:05 Understanding Risk Management
44:09 Settling into Barclays
45:02 Conclusion and Future Insights