Associates - how long to stay in IB?
My question for associates is how long do you plan to stay in IB? I joined planning on being a career banker but 12 months in I haven’t decided if it’s for me. Some weeks I don’t mind it, I like the finance and client interaction. But then other weeks I hate it because I’m getting stupid requests and spending all my time in PowerPoint.
I’ve been getting hit up by recruiters for interesting roles, both buyside and corporate roles. How long does it make sense to stay in the role before entertaining something else?
For those who decided to stay in banking - what do you like about it and how did you push past the difficult early years? What was your drive?
Bump. Starting to entertain exit options but can't tell if the grass is really greener, especially at the realistic buyside exits. Seems like mostly the same shit for lower guaranteed pay in the near term
Corp dev options seem intriguing but really need to find the right place to land to make it worthwhile imo
Fully agree with that. That’s why I stay in IB, from what I have seen if you go in PE you will probably work more hours for less money. Yeah after 10 years you might get a carrier that might (5 years later) make a lot of money but it’s not guaranteed / very difficult to get there vs being promoted to MD in IB. I think this PE thing is just a trend / people are blindly following the herd without understand what they do
Corporate you will make less money and the work is far less interesting (in IB you work for many clients, you see many things - at a corporate it’s always the same thing)
I continue to think that IB is the best possible career, the only issue is that we need to deal with many psycho / toxic MDs and VPs
Very hard to find good buyside exits. Honestly I've seen people go - not do deals and then come back and lose 2 years. Have to do a lot of diligence first to make sure the team you are joining is doing MINIMUM 1 deal a year.
Doesn't matter where you are - the lower ranks are always full of doing "stupid requests" and dealing with idiots above you.
The good bits come at Director upwards - when you get out of responsibility for materials and do client work. Just takes time.
I appreciate the reply. How do you stay focused and “happy” in the job until then? Seems like not burning out is the hardest part.
Aut eius natus velit ipsa facere. Ipsa similique quos quisquam eum saepe. Eos velit repellat dolorum. Ad dolorem harum dolor voluptates et maxime. Necessitatibus non rerum rem nisi nesciunt ex.
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...