So it begins...
Dearest WSO users and contributory body,
It is the time of year where the graduating class, that received their offers last recruiting season, are jumping head first into the mysterious abyss of the investment banking universe. Many are in training, have just started, or are about to start on a 2 year long adventure that will change them (hopefully for the better) into passionate swash-buckling finance buccaneers, or deviously vindictive loathers regretfully wishing they had accepted that seemingly less prestigious F500 offer.
Many of us of had a multitude of varying perceptions of what Investment Banking that range across the spectrum. Between the movies Wall Street and American Psycho, to the book Monkey Business, to reading first hand experiences on WSO, we have all subconsciously conjured an illusive cloud of falsified truth. After the horror stories of 120 hour work weeks and chair throwing Managing Directors and the delightful perks of lavish comped dinners and endless armies of swimsuit models adhering to our every beckoning; most of us have landed right in the middle of naivety and absolute cluelessness of what our sorry souls have actually gotten into.
So for those of us who are new transitioners into this vast and elusive universe of financial wonder, how have you found your first/last couple of weeks? Has it measured up to your expectations? Has it fallen short or greatly surpassed? Did you start drinking heavily due to a malicious MD? Do you see yourself jumping ship without a life boat or have you found your lifelong calling?
This is an opportunity to share your beginning experiences of fret or fame in an attempt to inspire for indefinite eons or warn future generations of unsuspecting seals to be slaughtered.
So, how is it?
With sincere and best of the best regards,
THE PsYcHoLoGy
My internet screennames used to look like yours when I was in the 3rd grade...
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Does your tag suggest you are a 1st year analyst at GS? How's it going for you so far?
A touch melodramatic, but it does appeal to the cynical romantic in me. You'll find out how you truly feel soon enough. At the end of the day it's a job. You have likely built up this image (evidenced by the superfluous description more fit for a screenplay) that it inevitably will not live up to, but it certainly has it's moments and is almost always entertaining. Very few other industries will give you the opportunity to meet and drink with billionaires or get screamed at by the former CFOs of companies from the Dow, but then again few other industries require you to take copious amounts of shit without being able to speak your mind or dish it back.
You will learn a lot about yourself and about finance, and even though the glory days are over we can still aspire to the bar set forth by LSO, "Do whatever it takes to keep the legend of Wall Street as it was truly intended to live on. When you think back on investment banking of the early 21st century, remember the heat—remember the passion. But mostly, remember the titans."
What the fuck is a "cynical romantic"?
Luv this!
Just play this song on your way to work so you don't feel so melodramatic.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/hhnZkNj7kAo
Just don't lose who you are in all of the craziness. Living and working in finance in NYC in your 20's (particularly when single), is an incredible experience. Just always remember who you are and where you come from; it's easy to lose yourself in the perception of what you should be.
Do not start training for another month, but would love to share a bit once the day comes around. Nice idea for a post, though...
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