Banking doesn’t sound as bad when you consider other paths.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, about the hours that you face in IB.
Everyone is always talking about the 100 hour work weeks, which might realistically be only 70-80 hours on average but are still daunting. These hours aren’t as bad as when you compare the other career options of the same prestige, I guess.
Engineering is a big one. I feel as though what people fail to realize is that studying engineering; you have 3-4 years for undergrad and then you’ve got your masters for another 2.
The amount of studying that goes into engineering is nothing short of long, not to mention the difficulty as opposed to business subjects.
Your 2 years in the masters could be compared to your 2-3 in banking to switch to the buy-side but with banking, you make a nice 6 figure salary whilst gaining valuable industry experience.
Medicine and law are just as similar to the engineering pathway. I feel as though people exaggerate the intensity of it with respect to the other options of a similar nature.
Anyone else have a take on this? I have seen no one else mention something similar.
I have multiple degrees in both engineering (electrial) and finance. No mba. Most of my college friends went into entertainment, law, medicine, teaching, engineering, a few into politics.
Personally, I think a major you pick can be a lot easier if you have a knack or interest for it. Most engineers are actually into technical stuff, they already know a lot and don't mind the hardcore math, coding, semiconductors or anything like that. My family members are mostly in medicine and, while a difficult subject, they had the goal to be in this field for life.
After multiple industries and countries, I don't believe there is an "easy way to success", regardless of the area you are in. But if you turn your hobby into your job, it really is more fun.
OP you are 100% correct. Those who complain about banking are just looking for something to complain about.
I'm a current engineer working on something that "makes a difference". I have multiple friends in banking and will be trying to break in after getting an MBA.
Engineering is a quick way to hate your life. I had 2x to 3x the amount of schoolwork in undergrad as my college roommates who were finance majors. They now make 15K more base pay and receive large bonuses. Bonuses are non-existent in engineering. In addition, engineers are encouraged to go to grad school at night after working. This resulted in 60 - 70 hours at the office, 10 hours on campus for class, and 20+ hours of homework and projects. All of this for no upwards mobility in any company as an engineer.