Thank you, Wall Street Oasis
Hello fellow Monkeys. I know I don't really post here, but I've been a long-time lurker.
I always thought I wanted to be an investment banker and so did everything I could to get there, but I never listened to my heart.
I'm not cut out for investment banking. I should have been honest with myself from the start. I have nothing but respect for you all, but it just isn't for me. I have no compelling story, no impressive credentials, no starpower - just a naive dream and a hunger to prove myself.
I made this post because I wanted to thank you all. This community is wonderfully supportive and without it I'd still be sending two-page resumes and using my mouse. I would be nothing.
I wish each and every one of you the best of luck in your future endeavours. Even though I failed in my attempt to become an investment banker, I do not feel like a failure. There's lots of wonderful opportunities for me to pursue in my life and I'm grateful for every single one of them. Plus in the networking process I made lots of amazing new friends who have been nothing but uplifting and encouraging, going out of their way to help me.
Once again, thank you all. This community has helped me beyond words, even though I was just a lurker.
I'm pursuing a career that isn't remotely finance related so I won't really have much of a reason to lurk here anymore, but I'll still pop by every now and again and smile remembering my days of learning what a DCF is and how to calculate EBITDA.
Warmest regards,
Liam.
Just curious, what are you pursuing instead?
PhD scholarships in political science. I feel fulfilled when I'm helping others and it's a field I'm enthusiastic about. I spent so much time in my head thinking about numbers and logic that I forgot to take stock of my passion and what makes me human. That was probably the most wishy-washy bullshit that's ever been written on an investment banking forum haha
I don't think you need a compelling story, hugely impressive credentials (although these help getting in as a junior), or starpower to break into IBD. I know a guy who didn't do an undergrad and is now an M&A banker at a great spot. I'd argue your hunger to prove yourself is more important- that said, if you don't want to do the job or feel that you're not cut out for it, more power to you for recognizing it early instead of wasting your youth away and being miserable for some weird prestige gratification.
TLDR: don't get discouraged by lack of near-term success in a field that rewards persistence, but don't spend your time going after something that will never make you happy.
Thank you for your encouragement. I really appreciate your uplifting comment, but it's definitely not for me. As painful as it is to admit given it's been my childhood dream, I couldn't hack it. I'm like a 5'2" teenager who wants to be an NBA player. I need to be more realistic with my options and do something that nurtures my talents rather than pursuing something that doesn't play to my strengths and I have no possibility of succeeding in.
Thanks for sharing your story!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for finally creating an account, even if it was just to stop in and say thank you & goddbye. Thank you for letting us know how we helped and for showing other members that the mentality of "IB or bust" is really unhealthy (and just not right) for a lot of people.
Stay strong and good luck! Patrick
Wish you all the best Liam. Do what makes you happy. IB is a little bubble and there are many other jobs that are better in every single regard. Don't forget that there are a lot of people in the same boat as you, myself included, and typically only successful people share their experience. You haven't lost anything. You didn't fail. Once again, wish you all the best.
There are so many ways to success and happiness, especially in the west, do not feel bad and do not look back, keep looking for opportunities and if you never give up and continue to grind you will undoubtedly crash it!
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