I will be starting as an IB analyst at a BB bank in a couple of months and have just been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. I'm still processing what this means and am pretty worried. While interning at the bank I loved the work but did have some issues with social anxiety and awkwardness, and these were brought up in my reviews. At the time I chalked these up to being nervous about getting an offer, but after the diagnosis I've started to realise how poor my social skills are in general. While I've started treatment for this, I'll be starting work soon and am pretty worried about my long-term prospects in banking (and life), given how important social skills are.
Does anyone here have experience dealing with Asperger's/autism in IB, either themselves or through people they know?
There are therapists who specialize in these sorts of issues, I'd try to schedule some appointments before you start, it can't hurt. It definitely helped a close relative of mine (not aspergers but social awkwardness/anxiety), and could have life-long benefits.
Not sure about banking but Michael Burry was diagnosed with Aspergers. A lot of people say Buffett has it but these days he is pretty much a publicity hound lol
I am sure a lot more high finance people fall on the introverted side you just never see them parroting BS on CNBC.
Any transaction role is going to be more relationship based but if you are elite at what you do and a nice person you should be okay.
Good luck.
Most analysts will leave banking for other jobs in finance after two years, and the work is not very client facing for those two years. The jobs people leave for tend to be more technical and quantitative.
So it's the relationships with your coworkers that will really matter, and those will be fine if you do good work.
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I have had a lot of experience working with people with autism/Asperger's, and yes you can try to see therapist (they usually help a lot) if you want. I will say, though, that by this point if you have Asperger's then it is a part of who you are. This is by no means a bad thing, as some of the smartest people in history have fallen on the spectrum. It is very likely that your condition is what makes you so good at what you do.
I will also say that the fact you were able to get an internship and proceed to get a FT offer from it tells me you are not very severe. I know kids with Asperger's who have difficulty having a simple conversation. I gather that this is not you. While you may feel awkward or what-have-you, as long as you are able to communicate effectively that is what matters.
I will end by saying that if I were you I would embrace it (like I said, it is likely what makes you good), and not try to change yourself. What you can do, though, is practice. How often do you talk to other people? How often do you talk to strangers? Simply by talking to more people (both strangers and non-), you will become better and more comfortable. Some people are natural people people [plural of people person??] and struggle learning to model. It is nothing to be ashamed about. One of my favorite quotes from a mentor is, "The most successful people know where their shortcomings are, because they are then able to address them."
I hope this is helpful. Good luck and feel free to PM me if you like.
Fuck them.
You don't have assburgers. You landed one of the most elite jobs in the world. Fuck them.
You'll fit in well with most post-MBA associates
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