I've not taken an IQ test, but consistently scored in 99th percentile in standardized tests up through high school (Iowa Basics, then SAT & ACT). Work ethic was a problem for me for a long while, mostly because I was bored and school was too easy. It wasnt until college that I was challenged. Went from straight A's in HS to a 3.4 GPA when I graduated college. Didnt have a steady relationship either until I was 36, then got married inside of 2 months (I knew my now wife for over 10 years, though, we just didn't date during most of that time).

I might be slightly on the autism spectrum, but never been diagnosed. Always been a bit of a loner and introvert. Back in high school, when classmates were out partying on weekends, I was hacking. Learning Z80 ASM the hard way with dead tree books and struggling to find info on random local BBS's (not much in Montana and not a long way to go before a BBS was long distance).

I started work on a masters in electrical engineering, but have never finished. Wanted it more than I needed it. Somehow (referral from a friend of a friend) landed a job in finance as a developer a year out of college, and been in the industry ever since. All of my current friends, and even my wife, I have due to working in the industry. Not that finance itself is responsible for it, just where I met everyone.

Also regarding networking, all of my early jobs were acquired via networking. After a decade of experience at a well known hedge fund, recruiters hound me all the time, and if I want, I can get several interviews within a week. Its worth not burning bridges.