Are you happy with your finance career?

Hey guys/gals,

Noobie here, so I apologize if I posted this in the wrong section, or if I essentially make an ass out of myself entirely. Anyway-my question is broad and probably over-asked, but I was wondering if you were happy with your finance career. I know being 'happy' is a hard verb to measure, but all bullsh*t aside, do you think this was a good career choice for you? Reason I ask, I would (I think I would) enjoy IBanking. I think it sounds like a challenging, engaging, and fulfilling career. I also think nursing sounds the same (except for pay/benefits/bonuses and overall challenge). I know, weird combo, but I'm honesty stuck between majoring in finance or seeking a nursing degree. I have two years left, and would hate to get stuck in finance and look back at 30 (or whatever) and think, 'Damn, wrong decision." There are obvious pros/cons of each, but I think the salary + bonuses of working on Wall Street makes up for excessive hours, lack of work/life balance, and everything else that I CONSTANTLY read that's negative about investment banking. I know people are going to say, follow your passion, it's not about the money, etc., but I don't buy that (is anyone truly passionate about finance?). SO---does anyone wish they might have studied something else in school? Or was everyone here born into finance? Thank you guys/gals, I really appreciate the feedback.

 

If you have enough compassion to want to be a nurse, then you'll probably be disgusted by most people you meet on Wall Street.

Having said that, investment banking experience out of undergrad allows you to develop an incredibly valuable skill set in terms of analysis, efficiency, attention to detail, etc. Even if you go into banking for 2-3 years and then leave for another industry (or even back to nursing school), I think you'll always carry with you a number of skills that are to develop anywhere else.

Personally, I would NEVER do investment banking again, but I would never claim that it wasn't a great experience to have right out of college.

 
BananaStand:
If you have enough compassion to want to be a nurse, then you'll probably be disgusted by most people you meet on Wall Street.

Having said that, investment banking experience out of undergrad allows you to develop an incredibly valuable skill set in terms of analysis, efficiency, attention to detail, etc. Even if you go into banking for 2-3 years and then leave for another industry (or even back to nursing school), I think you'll always carry with you a number of skills that are to develop anywhere else.

Personally, I would NEVER do investment banking again, but I would never claim that it wasn't a great experience to have right out of college.

Are you still in finance?

I Got a dollar and a dream...
 
Best Response

I'm in credit risk and I enjoy it. In my opinion, unless you won't feel good about yourself until you make 7 figures in a year, taking a road less traveled in finance (read manageable hours, middle officey) will allow you to enjoy your life as a whole. In the long run, I think I will try to get into portfolio management, but if I end up a Director or MD in risk, I'd be damned happy with that as well. It's interesting and challenging, but it's consistent work from 9am to 8pm, generally.

I doubt I'll ever break 7 figures, but tonight I walked into my VP's office at 5:30pm, said I have a date but I'm planning to come in tomorrow to see if banking or capital markets has made any changes to the deal. He said ok, I went to a bar, played shuffle board, pool and checkers with a 9/10 ballerina, went to my place and got a bj (only second date, lol), got a massage and called it a night.

I still get to learn a lot about corporate finance. But I have time for nights like that and I can study for the CFA and do other things that make an MBA app look pretty. I have a good career and a good life.

I understand going into trading...but banking? Not worth it, not by a long shot in my opinion. Sorry to bash one thing in saying why I like my job. But obviously that is the context of this site. If you honestly like banking, that's cool. But don't think it's the only option.

 

hey risky here's my story

10am roll into work 11am dont do work, brush off staffer, 2nd year pwnage noon eat lunch 1pm yell at credit risk losers for being in back office 2pm go out shopping and tell my 2 teams i am out of pocket 6pm back to office, order dinner 7pm finish eating dinner and go home 8pm call up back office and make 'em do random work. i send over a request for a ratings analysis for ten hypothetic mergers and leverage rates for no reason, im not even on the deal lolololol 10pm go out and bang models, tell them i'm going to megafund and i'm cruising 11pm remember to email HBS and turn down their offer, sorry no time for mba, TIME TO MAKE 300K BABY

 

Why don't you try it for yourself and find out? I suggest you spend a summer with a reputable firm to get your feet wet. I don't know them all but I know Blackstone is supposed to be a good one. And I believe they recruit on campus for summer interns, so that could be a perfect experience for you. Check with your career services office!

 
prospie:
Why don't you try it for yourself and find out? I suggest you spend a summer with a reputable firm to get your feet wet. I don't know them all but I know Blackstone is supposed to be a good one. And I believe they recruit on campus for summer interns, so that could be a perfect experience for you. Check with your career services office!

+1

 

Absolutely Happy :)

Signs of Recession: Banker: “Where’s me Bonus?” Yuppie: “Whadya mean I have to actually work?” Fox Rock Mum: “Lidl’s the place to be seen in now!” Cowen: “It’s not my fault that me and my party are complete f**k-ups - it’s the recession silly!”
 
PiperJaffrayChiang:
I'm fairly greedy so I'm only satisfied

seriously man... you taught me a good lesson.

Signs of Recession: Banker: “Where’s me Bonus?” Yuppie: “Whadya mean I have to actually work?” Fox Rock Mum: “Lidl’s the place to be seen in now!” Cowen: “It’s not my fault that me and my party are complete f**k-ups - it’s the recession silly!”
 

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