A2A Need Out
I am a A2A and in my 2nd year as an associate (in my 5th year total). Money has been phenomenal but I am drowning in how mindless the work is and repetitive. I really want to exit to PE, but realize this would be a pay cut / might be on the bottom of the totem pole. I am also pretty close to VP and have started getting staffed to VP. I just can’t imagine doing this for my whole career.
Am I an idiot for considering leaving right before VP after years of grunt work? Should I just take any PE offer I get before I “age out”? Should I stick it out to VP promote to then try to get a more senior associate buyside role?
Comp will be insane this year and next I know if I stay (planning on definitely staying for this bonus this year), but at a certain point I need to learn more and be more interested in the work. Need to use my brain again.
Idk this post is all over the place. Just looking for any advice and thoughts if anyone has stuff. Kind of lost.
Post is titled “need out” even though you said you’re definitely staying for your next bonus.
Be realistic with yourself, what do you want?
As an A2A you’ve probably built enough savings to take a huge pay cut, take time off, etc. If you’re not happy, what makes you think staying will make it any better? Do you even respect your VPs or want to live like they do? Or, do you truly love those sweaty 80 hour weeks and massive paychecks?
Make some good points. All fair points. Don’t know if I really want / respect the VP position. Still a massive ocean between you and MD.
In terms of know I am staying for my next bonus, I meant the one that I will get in 3 months. Doubt I have an offer by then and even if I do they would let me start Q1 2022 most likely. Staying on for the 3rd year associate bonus is way more up In the air - that’s a long time
You realize in the current market you may not need to take a paycut. I had a friend who was an associate lateraled to PE and came out ahead on comp. Granted there may have been some behind the scenes factors but there is no reason you should necessarily be interviewing for first year Associate jobs. Granted I am just an analyst so what do I know.
How stupid would quitting after the bonus in December be to focus just on recruiting? Would def eat into my savings a bit, but I could focus all my energy on that getting buyside role
You're so close, just wait til bonus hits before leaving. I would start recruiting in the meantime and try to land something mid January of next year.
You've endured so much, why are you going to throw out so much money on the table when you literally need to work 3 more months. November/December is usually pretty chill.
Sorry my post maybe wasn’t super clear. I meant quitting after I received my bonus this Dec 31st. Started to prep / recruit now so hopefully can land something to start at after Q4 so won’t be an issue in an ideal world. Meant more quitting after my next bonus clears
Exact same, position. The thought of starting over as a 1st year associate with substantially less pay in PE is very demotivating.
Honestly may just do another year or jump to corp dev for the title bump. I've never taken a pay cut in my life and don't really want to start now, especially if lifestyle doesn't get much better (have it pretty good right now)
You say it's good now. What type of bank are you at?
MM bank covering a niche sector.
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