The Subtext

The Hidden Reason You’re Missing IB/Consulting Offers – IB vs Startup Life: What He Chose (and Why) – Brooks Gammill: Co-Founder of RecruitU

Missing timelines is the easiest way to miss offers in industries like investment banking, consulting, tech, and more. Brooks Gammill walked away from a tech investment banking offer to go all in on building RecruitU so you never miss again. If you’re looking to break into such competitive industries or are torn between finance vs building, this is your episode. If you’re aiming for investment banking or consulting and feeling lost on timelines, target vs non-target politics, and who to coffee chat first, listen up. Brooks Gammill, cofounder of RecruitU, breaks down the system he wished he had as a student: jobs, contacts, clubs, and prep in one place. We also unpack the real tradeoffs between a prestige IB path and entrepreneurship. Although Brooks secured a seat in tech IB, he chose to ship an MVP, raise capital, sign enterprise clients, and build something students actually use. What you’ll learn: * A clean recruiting operating system: how to track people, roles, emails, and timelines without 10 tabs and 3 spreadsheets * From MVP to momentum: the playbook for getting thousands of students and real employers onboard * The decision framework for IB vs startup: pay, skill compounding, network, lifestyle, and asymmetric upside * Preventing burnout with simple habits that actually stick * Emotional intelligence as a networking edge Perfect for: * Students recruiting for IB, PE, tech, or consulting who want a repeatable system * Non-targets who need an edge on timing and outreach * Builders debating banking vs startup life and wanting a real comparison * Club leaders who want tools that help members actually land interviews/offers Follow Brooks: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooks-gammill/]

Cayden Ginting – Taxing Degeneracy Goes Viral – Co-Founder of Tally

What happens when you bet on yourself so hard it borders on delusion, but it works? In this episode of The Subtext, we sit down with Cayden Ginting: Gates Scholar, Columbia student, content creator (80k+), and the co-founder of Tally, Gen Z’s most unhinged habit tracker. We unpack how a joke accountability challenge with a friend turned into a real startup redefining behavioral growth for Gen Z, the wild viral launch that gained 650k+ impressions, 350+ DMs, and even a closed deal with an investor within 24 hours, and the deeply personal moments that shaped Cayden’s relentless drive. From losing his mom during college apps to almost starring in his own goon-themed ad campaign, Cayden shares his raw subtext: freedom, obsession, and proving others wrong. If you’ve ever felt torn between ambition and burnout, or wondered how far you’d go to chase a vision, this one’s for you. Topics include: * The story behind Tally’s viral launch video * How grief and grit pushed Cayden through Columbia * Why personal brand is the new moat * Deleted startup ideas (like a restroom chatbot for first dates) * What anchors him amidst the chaos This episode is wild, inspiring, and full of unexpected left turns. Just like Cayden’s journey. Follow Cayden: Instagram- @caydenginting ⁠LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cayden-ginting-39a360237/]

Elise Pham – From Losing Her Mom to Cancer to Finding Purpose – Founder of Ultimate Ivy League Guide

What happens when your purpose outgrows your plan? Elise Pham joins us to unpack the power of reinvention, resilience, and rewriting the narrative — not just for yourself, but for everyone watching. Elise Pham built a 7-figure business while balancing pre-med at Harvard. She’s amassed over 1.4 million followers across social media, been featured in Forbes and Business Insider, and helped thousands of students navigate college admissions through her platform, Ultimate Ivy League Guide. But her story isn’t just about accolades. It’s about everything she had to carry to get there. In this deeply personal and wildly inspiring episode, we sit down with Elise to explore the subtext behind her success, starting with the loss of her mother at age nine, being raised by a single immigrant father, and the quiet resilience it took to navigate elite institutions without connections, money, or guidance. Elise opens up about battling shame, people-pleasing, and identity crises in the background of her polished résumé. She shares how she went from reselling Xboxes and failed dropshipping attempts to choosing between med school and entrepreneurship, all while learning to build a business, a brand, and a new version of herself — in public. Whether you're a student, builder, or creative trying to find your place, this conversation will hit. Elise doesn’t just talk about impact. She lives it. And through it all, she reminds us that success isn’t about the metrics. It’s about the meaning you choose to build along the way. Follow Elise: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ultimateivyleagueguide] Instagram- @elisempham LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-pham-8112821b0/]

The Subtext Trailer

The Story Underneath the Story.

Jerry Lee – He Built a Following of 2.5M+ by Fixing the Job Search – Co-Founder of Wonsulting

What if you left Google… and built something better? Jerry is the COO & Co-Founder of Wonsulting and an ex-Senior Strategy & Operations Manager at Google & used to lead Product Strategy at Lucid. After graduating college, Jerry was hired as the youngest analyst in his organization by being promoted multiple times in his first 2 years. After he left Google, he was the youngest person to lead a strategy team at Lucid. Jerry started Wonsulting to help millions around the world land their dream jobs. Through his work, he’s spoken at 250+ events & amassed 2.5+ Million followers across LinkedIn, TikTok & Instagram and has reached 200M+ jobseekers globally. In addition, his work has been featured on Forbes, Newsweek, Business Insider, Yahoo! News, LinkedIn & elected as the 2020 LinkedIn Top Voice for Tech & Forbes 30 under 30.  Wonsulting is a company founded in 2019, which mission is to turn underdogs into winners: helping individuals, particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds, secure their desired careers. They have gained a significant following on social media and have positively impacted many through their online presence on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn. But before Jerry Lee became a founder helping millions land jobs, he was just a kid eavesdropping on his parents through a cracked apartment door, hearing them wonder if they should give up on America altogether. That moment sparked something in him. Not hustle. Not ambition. But a deep-rooted obsession with helping others make it, especially those without connections, confidence, or a clue where to start. This conversation isn’t about résumés or viral growth. It’s about the real stuff founders never talk about: * Quietly wondering if he should’ve stayed at Google for the money * Facing imposter syndrome as Wonsulting scaled past his skillset * Wrestling with the tension between ambition and gratitude * Rebuilding confidence while the world watches you on LinkedIn We also dive into: * The weirdest thing that 10x’d his content views * The "worst" pieces of advice in job search * The dark side of founder burnout, and what actually helps * And the two lives he almost lived: professional gamer or corporate exec Jerry doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out. But his honesty, clarity, and conviction in this episode will leave you thinking deeper about your own path, and how to walk it better. Follow Jerry: Instagram- @jerryjhlee LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jehakjerrylee/]