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Haha what a question. Banks will try to keep analysts happy via happy hours or protected saturdays etc but to me it really boils down to the analyst camaraderie which can make you miserable vs. able to cope with what you're being subjected to. It is so important to have that backing of friends from your analyst class when you're going through the grind together and generally you will get it unless you're a hateful person who no one likes but that's quite rare and if you're self-aware enough to ask the question then you're probably fine. 

 

100% correct. I'd say for new analyst classes its not even there so yeah my answer was definitely only meant for pre/post-covid environment. Can't speak to the current analyst experience personally but anecdotally yes, it is not great given the "you're on your own" situation.

 

Yeah, I really feel for the remote-working analysts honestly. The job can be soul-crushing without your guys/gals to bullshit around with when the going gets tough.

 

The analysts who are happy are the same losers from your college finance classes that got all A's yet no ass.

Us non-virgins that have things to aspire to other than sucking off every MD are typically miserable, though we do understand how IB better positions our futures. 

Don't get me wrong - the adrenaline rush of running a process and closing a deal is there. But this is counterbalanced by the unreasonable deadlines that your seniors, PE firms, and banking in general consistently push. 

Pay doesn't make up for the time you can't have back. I wouldn't be surprised if your typical IB analyst makes ~20 bucks/hour on a true hourly basis AFTER bonus.

 

Not quite a decade for me but same

As much as the analysts like to crank up the dramatics, I do think that they get it a bit easier nowadays. Even a few years ago, protected Saturdays didn’t exist and everything was sweaty for absolutely no reason at all

 

All about managing expectations IMO. I work at a boutique, nothing crazy like wall street, but still at consistent 80+ hour weeks. I just expect that I'm getting off at midnight, with working a bunch over the weekend. If I get to cut out at 8 pm one night or work less than expected during the weekend, it makes me happy. It's also a bonus that I enjoy the work too. Obviously there's grunt work involved, but that's where I turn it into a game and try to find one new shortcut or something like that. Additionally, eating healthy, going to the gym 4-5 days a week, and being around other analysts make me happy too. 

 

I'd say I have a late night 2 times a week (2 am), otherwise out of the office at 10-11 (except Friday where I'm out at 8-9) with working ~8 hours on the weekends. That puts me at ~85 hours a week. The mornings after I have a late night I don't workout. If I workout on both weekend days and then 3 days during the week, I'm there. I've found it to be pretty manageable

 

I was analyst, and as every job it has pros and cons. 

Pros:

1. You can experience different type of engagements, my advise would be to focus on two type engagements given experience is required

2. The timeslot is normally from 9 to 5, really if you want to extend it it is cz you like it but you don't have to...I meant you can leave or simply search for another job.

3. The more experience the better for you given the fact you can develop skills that will be required as senior consultant or assistant manager

Cons:

1. The salary, no words especially in big4 firms not sure about MBB firms or even industry

2. The kind of work you get, I sometimes felt the underestimation of work is given to people at the analyst level till the point people realise what you have (show that it is important to not to get the basic stuff)

3. The chances to grow expertise is slow at the beginning, same for soft skills. This is disappointing especially in the first 18 months. 

 

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