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.
Each of us were born into finance. I learned how to do valuation before I learned to speak english. The very first word i said as a baby was "I-want-banking-cuz-I-want-six-figure-salary". And yes that is considered as one word.
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'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.
Whats the salary/bonus like at a BB for credit risk?
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
sorry u couldn't see past 1 year of IBD lololol, enjoy ur back office job while i style on u. PS: top 3 HF called me yesterday, i told 'em i accepted a job already, they said to keep in touch for hiring next year.
O YEA U JELLY
Are you happy you went into PE? What do you like, dislike, about the field? (Originally Posted: 09/10/2010)
Long time reader, first time poster.
I'm considering taking the leap into finance. Private Equity is one of the areas I'm considering. I was hoping to hear some honest internet anonymous opinions from professionals in the field.
...If you could do it all over again, would you still go into private equity? why or why not? if not, what would you go into instead?
...are you happy that you chose to go into private equity? what are your favorite things about the job? what are your least favorite things about the job?
I'd really like to hear any opinions!
long time reader eh
comedy
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
Are you happy you went into Hedge Funds? What do you like, dislike, about the field? (Originally Posted: 09/10/2010)
Long time reader, first time poster.
I'm considering taking the leap into finance. Hedge Funds are one of the areas I'm considering. I was hoping to hear some honest internet anonymous opinions from professionals in the field.
...If you could do it all over again, would you still go into hedge funds? why or why not? if not, what would you go into instead?
...are you happy that you chose to go into hedge funds? what are your favorite things about the job? what are your least favorite things about the job?
I'd really like to hear any opinions!
Yes. Like having a position where my job is to read and think all day, with no meaningless power points and other bullshit.
question is being asked in a fashion as if the poster thinks a hedge fund is a hedge fund is a hedge fund which i hope they already realize is not true
Here's one balanced perspective you should check out.
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/the-hedge-fund-experience-good-ba…
hello is this bigpun87
So... are you happy with your SA or FT offer? (Originally Posted: 03/15/2010)
So SA recruiting has wound down significantly and most, if not all of you should be done with summer internship recruiting. Also FT is basically completely over and many of us will begin this summer.
I have an inkling that people on WSO are harder to please than a 22-yr-old in a pre-nup less marriage to a Saudi oil tycoon and are likely looking off into the distance thinking how to secure an even more amazing offer down the line.
WIth that being said:
How many of you can safely say that you're HAPPY with your offer? being satisfied or anything short of happy does not count. Feel free to complain if unhappy. My guess is that less than 10% are happy with their lot.
no, very unhappy
Extremely happy. Absolutely no complaints.
Are you feeling insecure you're not happy with your offer?
Don't have an offer... only couple interviews left... screeeeeewed
Absolutely Happy :)
Pretty much concluded years ago that I'd never be satisfied with what I have. I guess I'm just greedy..
got transferred by my bank which is why i am unhappy
To another office or group?
pretty happy... given my international student status plus pathetic GPA, couldn't have asked for a better option
I'm fairly greedy so I'm only satisfied
seriously man... you taught me a good lesson.
PJC, are you with ML or LAZ, or are you just a lying shit all the way through? If you're not a lying little shit, what group are you in or is it generalist?
yes, absolutely
Thrilled.
i'm with cheese.
see you FT bitch
Given my background I suppose I'm fairly satisfied. Always want the best though
I'm happy
happy!
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