About to start IB and wish I wasn’t
I’ve been a lurker on this forum for years and it is, in part, the reason I ended up in finance. I transferred from a shit school to a target one to make recruiting easier. I got the IB internship. Internship secured, I began obsessing over PE recruiting. I mapped out a future involving mega-funds and an MBA and then maybe a stint at a hedge fund. I did the internship. I got the return offer. Soon I’ll be starting this coveted job people are so eager to break into.
At every step of my life so far, my decision making was primarily driven by two factors: prestige and pay. Nothing more.
Perhaps this is why I now find myself looking towards my future like it’s a prison sentence. This job, that I chose for all the wrong reasons, is one that I cannot stand.
I don’t want to be ungrateful. I know I won’t regret getting some work experience. I know I’m lucky to have a lucrative job at such a young age, especially when a lot of my peers are struggling to find work right now. I know things will be alright in the long-term if I work hard.
Right now though, all I feel is completely and utterly lost.
I’ve got this pit in my stomach, the dread of going to the office, the dread of doing the work itself, which I just don’t like. I thought I could force myself to like finance, and that prestige and money would be enough to mask that nagging feeling that something isn’t right. But it isn’t. I don’t give a damn about either anymore. I’m about to spend 70+ hours a week slaving away at something I’m utterly uninterested in, all to earn these “benefits” (pay, exit to PE, “clout”) that no longer hold any value for me.
I don’t care about PE. I don’t know why the hell I ever wanted to work at a hedge fund. Oh wait, I do: it’s because I thought it would sound prestigious and smart. I’ve realized I never wanted to work in IB, I just wanted to be able to say that I worked in IB. Because when you have no idea what the hell you actually want to do, it makes sense to just do the thing that sounds the best, the thing that everyone regards as exceptional (even though it’s really not all that.)
I’m sad because I don’t want to do this, and then I’m angry at myself for not wanting it. I got everything I spent years planning for and still feel like I’ve failed. Discovering that I don’t want to work in this industry feels like a deep personal failure, like a weakness of character. Especially since I don’t know what it is that I do want. I feel so old and so young all at the same time. Most of all, I feel foolish.
If you made it this far thanks for reading my rant. If you already work in the industry, how long would you suggest I work this job before changing roles? Is eight months long enough to avoid damaging my resume? Or should I not quit at all and just tough it out, do my 2+2 and then switch tracks?
Figure out what you actually want out of life instead of following the herd
First world problems, couldn't even read through the whiney complaints after the "prestige and pay" comment.
You're in for a rude awakening from life buddy.
Either sit in the seat and get paid, or quit and do something you think you'll like.
Other people will judge your decisions, so decide if you care or don't.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and advice for your situation:
Evaluate Your Current Situation:
Consider the Long-Term Benefits:
Timing of Job Switches:
Develop a Strong Narrative:
Channel Your Energy Productively:
Mental and Physical Health:
Seek Advice and Support:
Plan Your Next Steps:
In summary, while it's important to gain experience and demonstrate commitment, your well-being and long-term career satisfaction are also crucial. Consider staying in your current role for at least a year, but use this time to explore other interests and prepare for a potential transition.
Sources: When to jump - Advice on switching jobs, careers, and fields, How many Job Switches is too many for an MBA?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/how-soon-can-i-leave-1st-year-ib-analyst?customgpt=1, Quitting IB in 2023 - Burnout, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/leave-pe-early-or-stick-it-out-2-years?customgpt=1
I think your mindset is still wrong. Your last sentence is talking about grinding it out then switching “tracks”. Following a predefined track is what got you to where you are. You need to look inwards and decide what makes you happy and then pursue that. Forget the tracks mindset as there is no track for a happy life.
Literally tough it out, or hurry up, and just put my fries in the bag bro.
Would find something else. Was in the same situation and went into IB for the wrong reasons. If you’re not interested, you won’t make it through the long nights. I regret it
Any idea what you do want to do?
Older guy here. I don’t know you so take what I say with a grain (or pound) of salt. In some ways I think you have a great advantage in knowing you don’t want this path.
1. Congrats on getting a lucrative job! Pat yourself on the back. Really. So many try. So few get.
2. Treat the next 1-2 years as a learning opportunity that you are getting paid for. All that ppt and excel and time management skills and learning industry basics and dealing with jerks? LEARNING. You are getting PAID to learn. You can quit in a year or two with real skills that will make you marketable for other stuff.
3. You will make a lot of money. Try to save what you can to give you a backstop for when you quit. For those of you here who think it’s not a lot of money (yes taxes and tier 1 cities are expensive, I know), look up what the average or median American makes…
4. You won’t have a ton of time but you’ll be surrounded by some smart people, deal with other smart people and still have a college network since you are young. Talk to everyone. Get to know them and other industries, parts of the world etc. It may give you ideas.
5. (And some may think this is controversial) it may be stressful but why not interview for PE jobs just to see what the process is, who the people are, how they think etc. More learning. If you know you don’t want the path, you don’t have to care about the result (you can always decline anyhow if you get an offer). But you’ll see the whole how they sell themselves, how you are supposed to sell yourself and all that jazz and that can really impact your thinking and future trajectory. It has mine (I’ve never interviewed for direct PE jobs so take this for what it’s worth, which could be nothing).
In short you can use this opportunity to learn a lot, think, get paid and pivot. Life could be worse.
Finally- and this can apply to anyone, if you know you don’t want this path, but don’t know what else to do, that’s ok! Really. Most people have no clue what they want to do any never figure it out. And they will admit it if they are really drunk or for some odd reason decide to be truly honest and self reflective (this is incredibly rare, especially in this industry). Really. You are not alone.
good luck
Do something you actually have an interest in
I'm in the same situation as you (although somehow I ended up in medicine) and I have this to say:
1. Most jobs suck. Finance is not an exception to the rule, but at least you can learn some very interesting CF concepts, have proximity to multi-billion dollar deals, and make good money
2. Most people hate (or are ambivalent) to their jobs AND get paid an average salary (40-50k USD-ish in APAC). The fact that you could be ambivalent AND get paid very well is a privilege
3. Find aspects that are enjoyable about the job – Working in IBD is a privilege and there are some enjoyable things – focus on those to get through your two years
4. Figure out what you do want to do and chart a course to get there
Don't blame yourself! No one knows what they want to do at 19. Just chart your own course starting now. Best of luck!
definitely do NOT quit, would be squandering a valuable opportunity, just put in a year at least before you make any final decisions
imo grind it out for a year or two, learn as much as you can, network and keep your options as open as possible
in the meantime apply the same effort you put into getting here into figuring out what you want to do with the rest of your life
your efforts arent wasted unless you give up now (whether that's by bailing and therefore squandering all of the work youve put in, or by resigning yourself to a career path you don't want out of lack of better ideas)
Listen to your gut. You will not be happy a year into it. See if you can take a deferral year and go find yourself and what you are interested in. When you said you like being able to tell people you are in IB, that means you are doing it for the wrong reasons. Find something that makes you tap dance to work.
Quit bro
The sooner you can figure out what you're good at, the better
That being said if you don't have a better career idea (CFO/internal finance, sales, engineering, vc), then go ahead and take the job. It's prestigious and it will give you some time to get settled in and figure out what you do want to do
Regardless of career path... nearly everyone can benefit from a 2 year IB OR MBB stint. There's really no downside
Sucks dude. I'm a year in, job is long and boring and hard for the first 6-10 months. Find something better to do.
I'm pretty sure most guys on this forum know who David goggins is, sometimes he's really corny when he goes on this alpha rant shit, but one thing that still sticks to me is when someone asked him if he listens to music while running, and his answer was music is just a crutch towards actually being their in the moment. Anyone that has worked out knows for the majority of time, we listen to forms of entertainment to take our mind off the pain. Why? Because our minds think what we are experiencing is never ending, but if you think towards knowing it is only temporary, then you will realize that it won't be forever. This same concept relates to Ops worriness towards his job. If he realizes that its only temporary, he will realize he has been given an amazing opportunity towards a better life.
If between the time that you initially pursued this path and the time that your had this change of heart - you happened to have an encounter with a woman - DO NOT leave your job. Do not waste this opportunity.
These replies are heinous. I'm glad you're mature enough to see this industry for what it is and not succumb to the insecure 'got that dog in me' banal NPC personality that is prevalent in high finance. People with actual character need meaning and fulfillment, so never feel embarrassed about being a genuine human being. Money is important, but now that you've broken into this industry, you'll be able to find virtually any position. I'd recommend looking into a startup with a cool mission; they usually offer good pay when recruiting from investment banking. 'Prestige' only matters to people who love talking about themselves, and most of them are as empty as a cave. Good for you
Dolor sint vel qui officiis facere asperiores. Fugiat distinctio at quo. Laboriosam suscipit corporis ut et laudantium consequatur.
Consequuntur vel porro architecto eos. Hic est dolores et mollitia distinctio quibusdam. Alias dolores quod corrupti quidem. Sunt unde omnis omnis tempora nesciunt.
Omnis placeat debitis numquam id tenetur facere saepe. Perferendis aliquam error voluptas architecto. Voluptatum quia eius voluptatem consequuntur. Voluptatem minima qui nihil animi nam.
Est cum enim labore culpa laboriosam. Quidem asperiores ut facilis voluptas illum quisquam voluptas. Impedit voluptatem architecto ut maxime debitis. Modi tempora in neque.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Natus cum quo dolorum ut doloremque vel sequi excepturi. Maxime cumque provident cupiditate accusantium minima cupiditate. Ducimus quae rerum architecto similique a. Laudantium nulla explicabo autem quos occaecati dolorem.
Enim voluptatem dolores inventore. Aut labore distinctio quo dignissimos perspiciatis. Corporis velit illo rerum amet. Harum aspernatur nisi neque est cupiditate optio sunt. Ab aut tempora omnis et aut ipsa.
Architecto corporis quia rerum culpa dolorem omnis. Repellendus ex ut quidem praesentium recusandae temporibus corrupti. Velit ea dolorem magnam iste tempore. Eveniet voluptas porro quae velit eveniet excepturi cumque. Nihil qui voluptates delectus mollitia id voluptas.
Placeat minima ipsa nostrum culpa. Ut cumque sunt perspiciatis sit quas quia porro. Corporis repellat aut et cumque. Consequatur quasi perspiciatis officiis sed sed. Asperiores ut repellendus autem ullam perferendis.