Anyone in IB actually love their job?

I’m in IB at a top bank and I legitimately really enjoy my team and find myself working a good 60-70 hours a week on average. I am thinking about PE, but I am scared I will end up in the same bucket as everyone else who hates their job. Does anyone else in IB actually really like their job?

There is actually a good path to promotion for me at my current bank. Should I make the jump to PE if it could potentially be a ‘better’ position that pays more? I’m a bit scared I’ll regret it if I don’t try, but I’m also scared I’ll regret it if I end up at another shop where I hate my job. Thoughts?

6 Comments
 

If you legitmately like it then why condemn yourself to the next leg of the rat race... haven’t you already reached a major milestone?

For reference, I’m in a great group lifestyle wise and i still hate banking. And over time, I’ve even become pretty good at my job so the stress has lessened. Yet, I dont think i will ever like it, and i can say this confidently because i lateralled from m&a at one point. Idk if PE is the way but I’ll be leaving to find something I can actually enjoy. If you have this already, wouldn’t you consider yourself ahead?

 

I recently started and have been amazed at how good the job is. maybe it's part if my ramping but I really enjoy the work.

path less traveled
 

Qui quas enim sint dolorem ipsam delectus eveniet. Aut ut molestiae natus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”