Fellow first year here looking to quit and was wondering if anyone else is looking to do the same? I was sure I knew what I was signing up for but clearly I wasn’t.
Just too afraid to quit because idk what consequences may come from it but wanted to know if anyone else is in the same shoes.
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I'm trying to quit within the next month, desperately looking for jobs
Trying to quit Feb but don't have another job lined up yet. I don't know how much longer I can handle the job tho so I might just quit and look.
I'd say these next few months are probably going to the last chance you can actually quit without something lined up and still find a good job
I've heard of so many doing that in the past 2 months
But I doubt it'll continue especially if the economy starts tanking
People who are quitting for WLB aren't looking to move to the buyside lmao
How long have you been on the job?
I’m an associate but same here. What are you going to switch to?
OP here and glad to hear others are on the same page.
Not sure but aggressively looking as well. Definitely something with WLB.
The tough part is finding something that pays.
If I were you I'd drop your effort way down to like bottom bucket level, recruit/apply as much as you can, and try to stay another ~8 weeks before quitting with nothing lined up, if you can manage it. If you really need to quit ASAP, you will absolutely be fine, but it is a little easier to recruit while you still have a job.
That said, at a BB and several first years have quit. Typically people realize they hate it during the internships but you guys didn't have that opportunity, so wherever you go next will understand your story. There is something better out there for you
Where do you see most first years go? Also I’m a first year associate, does the job get better/more interesting over time? I’m hating it but not sure if it’s the job or coverage group or what.
Corp dev, corp strat, strategic finance/general corp finance roles at a wide range of companies
The job is very similar as you go on to be honest, I'd say it is both more interesting and better (in that you work on bigger/marquee transactions, and know what you're doing instead of feeling lost in a model) yet also worse (these marquee transactions require worse hours, and your learning curve slows way down).
For a lot of people who leave they genuinely like the work but the hours really get to them. That's why corp dev/corp strat is such a popular exit, you do pretty similar stuff but you're allowed to have a life.
Is your group hiring?
Probably not until the summer, takes forever to get approval to replace people
Quitting in a month. So excited to gtfo lmao
Are you a first year? What are you going to do next?
Yup. Started this past summer and honestly I don't care that I didn't hit the 1 year mark because I found something in corp finance that fits my interests perfectly. The pay is essentially half of what I make now but idgaf because it'll allow me time to do things I actually care about
Quit for MBB and very happy with the decision. Feel free to PM if you want to discuss
How was the process? Did you get referred or cold apply?
Applied with referrals. Process was otherwise straightforward and identical to OCR: first round, superday
Is the WLB significantly better? I am thinking of jumping after 2 years but don't want to if it's going to be another big slog.
I would not think so. Consulting is similar hours and significantly less pay to do the same thing: execute what your boss says and be a powerpoint monkey. No critical thinking at this level.
I’d personally say that I expect WLB to be better. My understanding is that most often only Diligence projects in consulting get close to banking hours Monday through Thursday but even with those, you can expect a reasonably early end on Friday (5pm) with no weekend word - a far cry from a busy Friday + weekend in banking
Thinking of quitting around the 1 year mark. Definitely want to stay for the bonus, but not interested in PE. Just want something with better work life (more predictable schedule, no weekends, getting proper sleep..). Willing to take the payout but trying to casually learn now about what those better WLB options look like before going full recruiting mode later. Less worried about the pay situation and more about burning bridges by not doing 2 years. Appreciate any advice from others in a similar situation about quitting / exit ops or anything else you guys wanna mention.
Plenty of people leave after their first year - you won't be burning any bridges.
I guess my issue is that I'm at a boutique so my group is smaller and its not like at a BB where several people might've already quit in a group already (no first year in my class has quit yet at least), so I feel like it stands out more.
May i ask what kind of bank and group you are in?? What are your hours like??
Anyone thinking of quitting without a job lined up? Or has anyone done it? I’m getting desperate.
Right here! Idk how much longer I can take and desperate to leave too. Will probably quit in a couple weeks tbh.
Dm me? Curious about what your thought process is
What are you going to do next?
Feel the same way. Will likely give my notice in the next month or so.
Don’t have anything lined up yet either but had a friend who left in a similar situation and he had no trouble landing another gig.
What did your friend end up switching to?
My roommate (graduated in May) got annoyed on a Sunday night 3 weeks ago and sent a 1am quitting email.
Now he's unemployed, told me to focus on sending him good jobs, and he went to Jamaica for 3 weeks to recover. Nice.
Gave in my 2 weeks today as a first year. Peace out and good luck guys! Never felt better.
Congrats. Do you have a job lined up? What’s next?
Nope but I'm going to take sometime off and start looking again
I'm sure going to bed that first night must've felt amazing.
Slept in real nice. Still have these 2 weeks to go but my view on life is that, it’s not worth throwing my life for money to SURVIVE. I want to LIVE. For me, I’m not willing to make that trade because life is way more valuable to me
Slept in real nice. Still have these 2 weeks to go but my view on life is that, it’s not worth throwing my life for money to SURVIVE. I want to LIVE. For me, I’m not willing to make that trade because life is way more valuable to me
Congratulations
Given how high bonuses are for the 2021 FY, I'm curious to see how many first years quit with some decent coin in their pocket. I think for 1st yrs the comp difference is great but not like life-changing. So seeing how folks who want to exit react to "street-wide high bonuses" will be pretty interesting.
I think you’re overestimating “comp raises” for first years. On a real inflation adjusted basis 95% of 1st years won’t be seeing a real comp bump especially considering how expensive things are. And how friggin busy everyone is, particularly with how work rolls downhill once people leave
While I agree with your point on inflation, the majority of folks will mostly look at the optics of the raises rather than considering the economic impact their raises will actually have. Like your point is 1000% valid and true, but many will just focus on the headline numbers.
Waa u guys really grateful having career in IB. Up to now, my dream career to work in sell side BB from an Analyst but my age won't allow me to do so I guess... in any case, anybody in BB need an intern or analyst, I'm happy to apply.. I don't mind to have sleep for 4-5 hrs daily and happy with weekend in the bank, I wish that I can do that. I desperately looking for it. I sent my quit letter in my Civil Engine job already and my last day will be 25 Feb. I will do internship at EY in its Strategy & Transaction in Indonesia Mar & Apr.
I'd appreciate for advice / comments..
Cheers
I also happily applied thinking I wouldn't mind 4-5 hours of sleep and working every weekend. Sounds "easy" enough, but it hits different when you actually have to do it everyday with no end in sight.
Absolutely true. It’s really hits different when you’re actually getting clobbered everyday.
Cringe, bro.
Yeah, I'm keep looking for that exerience. ATM, I can say so because fueled by my curiosity, great experience studying finance in the part-time program, and zero experience as an analyst in IBD BB or middle market. Thanks for the comments.
I hope you land an opportunity. I understand what it feels like to be filled with curiosity and drive to achieve the best, which won't be stopped/satisfied until you get there.
Trust me on this though, the job is brutal.
Is anyone happy in banking. This forum has been depressing lately.
I left a year and a half in. Did not like WLB and lifestyle of prioritizing work over fam and self. Left with job lined up tho. Took 3 months off to travel. Sick IG pics and stories.
What did you switch to?
I got so many Monkey Shit haha, seems the work really brutal as f. Well so I don't know if I should stay in EY Strategy Transaction at least a year then find AN/ASO post in BB or dgaf about BB life at all ? Any thoughts appreciated
speaking from experience, I did B4 for 3 years before moving into M&A. The perceived carrot at the end of the stick wasn't all it's cracked up to be, let's just say that. You realise once you're in M&A the people are more difficult, the intensity is REAL, and the pressure is stupid. Grateful for the experience but it takes a special type of narcissist to want to do it full-time as a career.
So who's becoming unemployed with me?
Let’s go
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