Chillest Groups and Banks

So I am a sophomore in college who wants to go into IB, but isn't necessarily thrilled in spending 80-100hr weeks constantly churning out deals. Assuming that I am okay with not making 140-160k right out of undergrad, what are some good groups and banks I can work for, so I still get the IB credential, without turning in comments at 2AM? EDIT: Probably going to recruit for Baird Industrials, wish me luck everyone.

40 Comments
 

Unironically reversing this gets you the right answer more or less(?), unsure about what happens inside Tobin and Co., but rest across both seem right. Pretty sure UBS blows out the rest in WLB if some people on this server are to be believed; what other bank is there where a bunch of "current" bankers can post about their bank 24/7?

 

Thanks big dawg. I'm going to recurit for Lazard, I've heard that they have really good hours, and definetly not a sweatshop. I have also heard that definetly no analysts have died from being in Baird Ind. I'm also going to buy a camping tent and set it up at the office so the MD knows I deserve to be VP. I am also going to add a USB C port to my wrist so I can pull even more hours.

 

You’re behind the curve. I have a Bloomberg terminal implanted into my brain via neuralink and let my VP contact me Hans Niemann style at any time of the day. I even mix coke into my redbull/white monster/Mascal morning/evening cocktail to keep me awake.

 

It's all relative. Banking hours even at the supposed chill shops aren't 9-5. There is obviously relatively good WLB compared to other industries but if WLB is a key consideration, maybe IB isn't for you. Even at "worse" banks, there will surely be deal sprints where you are working until 2 AM unless you are truly at a terrible bank (but in that case there's often no real job security). 

 

I get that, and I am fine with working 60-70hrs per week. I just don't want to spend 3 years locked up in an office for 17 hours a day, just so I can burnout and go to another industry. I like the nature and work of IB, just not particularly the hours. 

 

Everyone I know at MM firms works like 60 hour work weeks. But tbh, why would you want to do IB? Most people do it for the exits, and if you're not at a bank doing more hours and reps, the exits are a bit tougher, but if you are doing it because you're actually interested then MMs might actually be a better place to start and move to BB/EB later career. 

 

If you want to do VC, go to startups. Every single person I went to school with who ended up in VC started their careers in startups. You learn a lot really fast, and it's way closer to what you'd do in a VC firm. If you want to do growth equity, that does tend to hire more out of IB

 

Any reason not to do corporate development? Seems like that's really what you're looking for

If not, maybe lower middle market? I don't know for a fact that it's better hours wise but seems like it should be. 

I'm sure there are pockets of BBs or EBs that have easier lifestyles, but it's hard to get an honest answer out of people ahead of time and a few new people can/push from existing people for a promotion completely change the vibe. 

 

If I can land a Corp Dev job out of undergrad, then I would be eternally thankful, but seeing as that is rare, I think IB is still my best shot. It is definetly a bit weird in IB learning about WLB because your seniors can dictate a lot of it. 

 

Generally untrue -- rising 2nd years exits are quite strong and there's been legit deal flow this year. Check out their website if you don't believe me several nice deals

 

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