Rethinking the wall street path
As a former investment banker, I can't help but take concern with young college kids who's shoes I was once in. I totally get why everyone wants to get into wall street: 1) the money 2) creating 'economic value' and speaking with CEO's 3) prestige and status.
I felt the same things. I thought not only was I creating a better life for myself and future family, but I was doing 'good' in the world.
I can't convince anyone otherwise. Some things you'll just have to see for yourself. But for those who aren't thoroughly convinced, I encourage you to keep on digging. A lot of you have good heads on your shoulders. You want to do something meaningful in your lives, and everyone around you from your school, your parents, mainstream society etc. is telling you this is it.
Trust me, the money does nothing more than make it that much more difficult to have a truly loving relationship with friends and family as you can't connect with out it. It also makes us that much more weaker and lost.
Don't make things any more difficult than you have to. If you have any doubt, step back, reflect and re-evaluate before you commit. It gets so much harder to find yourself and pull yourself away from this world, once your in it. And trust me, although most will have to learn the hard way, it will never make you happy. Not your initial analyst job or wherever you go afterwards. Furthermore, there are some real issues and injustices in this world, that require as much help as they can get, perhaps this can be where your talents lie.
For anyone interested, me and my wife have a website you can check out:
reasonofthesoul.com
I made the leap onto wall street myself, so I can't blame others for doing it. The only advice I will give is always keep your eyes open. Don't get lost. And use your god given intelligence.






You sound like my mom. I
You sound like my mom. I don't like it.
Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into SWANSONS.
Excellent advice; SB for you.
Excellent advice; SB for you. It seems like a lot of folks are obsessed with prestige and killing it and forget that money ranks about #10 and prestige about #20 on the list of life's priorities.
Read your blog but see mostly philosophical stuff, some of which I agree with (greed), some of which I don't (metaphysical nature of life). Do you have any practical advice on your experience- how you made the jump from Wall Street to "real life"?
Finally, what is your take on Malthusian economies/ecosystems, and what do you think the planet's sustainable carrying capacity is? I am all for solutions that increase the world's carrying capacity for people or help limit population without human suffering, but how much long-term good are we doing if we prevent a famine by increasing consumption and population? My big fear is that yes, as social creatures, we need to do what we can to fix the injustice and suffering immediately in front of us, but a lot of foreign aid in the past- everything from digging wells to buying villages hefers to food aid- has served more to increase consumption rather than carrying capacity.
Work hard, play hard.
Josh Brown had a great post
Josh Brown had a great post today on his 1-year anniversary of leaving the brokerage business after 10 years in it. Everyone on WSO should read it:
http://www.thereformedbroker.com/2011/07/26/lesson...
IlliniProgrammer
forget that money ranks about #10... on the list of life's priorities
Isn't that wholly personal? Money might rank 10th for you, but it may be the 2nd highest priority for others, for instance.
Also, I bet a million starving African kids would strongly disagree with you.
seedy underbelly
forget that money ranks about #10... on the list of life's priorities
Isn't that wholly personal? Money might rank 10th for you, but it may be the 2nd highest priority for others, for instance.
Also, I bet a million starving African kids would strongly disagree with you.
For those kids, food ranks higher than money. And for those parents, their kids rank higher than money. So yes, those starving Africans agree with me.
Obviously it varies from person to person to some extent but I think that for a mentally healthy human being, money probably ranks behind integrity, their family, their friends, their health, their development as individuals, and what they believe is the root of meaning in the universe. This is really where rational economics breaks down. Ask any healthy human being how much they'd sell their kids into slavery for, and despite all the claims of economists about rational individuals always having a price, most of them would tell you to go to hell.
So no, money is not one of life's top five priorities for most mentally healthy westerners.
Work hard, play hard.
"Furthermore, there are some
"Furthermore, there are some real issues and injustices in this world, that require as much help as they can get, perhaps this can be where your talents lie."
Let's use seedy's African kids as an example of a real issue and injustice in the world...Let's assume I'm a banker and I make regular charitable donations (let's also assume they are quite above what an average person would donate, because I'm "killing it" right?). You are telling me that I would do more good by quitting my banking job (cutting off my generous contributions) and getting directly involved somehow? If this type of migration happened on a larger scale, you would eliminate a major source of charitable contributions. How are you going to feed these kids in Africa? With one of your life-changing stories? I heard those also cure AIDS.
I agree with seedy. It's completely personal. And why can't you be both? Why can't you earn your money and still be responsible? Don't tell me what to f*cking do.
Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into SWANSONS.
What if the purpose of my
What if the purpose of my life is all about fame, prestige, money, etc.? I die and I live for those.
“Greatness is not found in
“Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character.”
im the one who has to die when its time for me to die. so let me live my life the way i want to. - lil wayne
Wall street should fire all
Wall street should fire all bankers since they do "no good" and shut down all investment banks. Then we can see DJA plummet to 1000 points and we can live like the good ole 1930's. Instead this time it will be permanent. I always wanted to experience global famine!
No company will ever be allowed to raise capital or make acquisitions. Honestly, what kind of moron would let a company grow, create jobs, and provide something of value to society?
Guys don't become a banker because you do "no good" to society...instead you guys should become entrepreneurs...but just keep in min that raising capital or selling your company in the future won't be an option because those god damn bankers will be dead.
no 1 is gunna argue with
no 1 is gunna argue with pikachu bc he is a yellow fluffy mouse
Edmundo Braverman wrote: Josh
Josh Brown had a great post today on his 1-year anniversary of leaving the brokerage business after 10 years in it. Everyone on WSO should read it:
http://www.thereformedbroker.com/2011/07/26/lessons-from-the-great-escape/
Good read, thanks!
Thanks for the good reading
Thanks for the good reading guys.
It doesn't change anything, and I'm still going for it, but it's a good reminder not to get too caught up in this bullshit.
It's just a job.
YOU JUST GOT TROLLED
http://www.troll.me/images/red-foreman322/dont-you...
Edmundo Braverman wrote: Josh
Josh Brown had a great post today on his 1-year anniversary of leaving the brokerage business after 10 years in it. Everyone on WSO should read it:
http://www.thereformedbroker.com/2011/07/26/lessons-from-the-great-escape/
Needed that. Thanks for posting. If I had a SB I'd toss you one (not that you need it).
I tossed ya one Eddie, solid
I tossed ya one Eddie, solid read there thanks
IlliniProgrammer wrote: Do
Do you have any practical advice on your experience- how you made the jump from Wall Street to "real life"?
F
Agreed, since while I agree with OP in principle, I just don’t see how to get in without money or extraordinary talents (genius level physics aptitude, etc)
my cock ranks higher than
blastoise wrote: “Greatness
Lol @ people who are going
Always be improving
dumb loll
"don't tell me how to live my
IlliniProgrammer
DurbanDiMangus wrote: you
YOU JUST GOT TROLLED
http://www.troll.me/images/red-foreman322/dont-you...
Haha, UFO your statement
DurbanDiMangus wrote: "don't
Maximus Decimus Meridius
reason][quote=Maximus Decimus
But... But what other careers
if wall street isnt the right
reason wrote: Maximus
i dont get what the fuss is
Anyone who thinks working on
shera wrote: Anyone who
www.jetcigs.com - Use coupon code WSO30 for 30% off
alexpasch wrote: shera
alexpasch wrote: shera
Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into SWANSONS.
alexpasch to shera
arguably investment bankers,
shera wrote: Anyone who
I think people are confusing
YOU JUST GOT TROLLED
http://www.troll.me/images/red-foreman322/dont-you...
UFOinsider wrote: I think
"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."
The Phantom wrote: shera
"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."
banking i its purest sense is
alexpasch wrote: You're a
shera wrote: That's a very
There have been many great comebacks throughout history. Jesus was dead but then came back as an all-powerful God-Zombie.
let people choose their own
shera wrote: How do you
I heard a partner at
Great read.