Banking v. Buyout

Bankers are doing more meaningful work then PE investors. In terms of a career worth balancing life with, PE could take precedence, but on a pure day-to-day job level, IB completes more meaningful work and doesn't destroy businesses with long legacies of success. Many PE firms are dead or are dying and returns to investors are harshly slowing. More importantly, assets are being sold at much lower value than on the books - which begs the question - is PE a glorified pump and dump scheme?