Dislike my analyst class

I have been in training for a few weeks now, and I can't help but dislike the majority of my analyst class. From the snarky remarks to the cockiness and the constant battles of attrition, I dread seeing most of these people every single day.

Although I won't be working with them, as my team only staffs one analyst per deal, listening to these people on the floor might actually drive me nuts.

Does anyone have any advice? Is this normal in IB? Should I just wait and try to jump ship ASAP?

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For example, some of the people in my class are a bit weaker technically and I hear constant remarks and sniggering when they make mistakes. Also heard some of them make insensitive comments about this guy’s country right in front him and I watched the guy go visibly red with embarrassment.
Another example is people making comments about this guys slightly large suit.

While the analyst class is quite big, everyone sits next to each other on the same floor so I have to witness this.

 

Sorry to be pedantic but that doesn't really have anything to do with the phrase battle of attrition.

Moving past that, my take is that yes, it sounds like you have some dickheads around. I think that's probably not uncommon in a banking class. And yes such people can worsen your experience in a job. But it also sounds like this is only a group of people and not really the whole class.

As such you have a choice: either 1) sit back and silently dissent, gaining nothing except resentment; 2) join in, compromise your morals and bond with the dickheads; 2) tactfully speak up and defend the wrongdoing you see around you, bond with the people being put down.

Or I guess, 4) leave.

I favour 1 or 3, depending how much I value peace in that moment.

 

I’m a guy - would just prefer to work in an environment that promotes camaraderie amongst peers in an already hyper competitive industry.

 
Most Helpful

Lol I played lax at college and was part of a frat, I know how to shoot the shit. But in my class it’s always people knocking other people down when they don’t even know each other that well yet.

 

It sounds like your analyst is comprised of people who are socially awkward, possibly jerks, and insecure. 

My hope is that they grow out of it. The analyst bond should be strong, and that helps get you through the next two years. 

My advice: 

Look for the positives (maybe the Associates are decent and you can build relationships with them, or maybe some of the newly minted VPs are looking for mentorship opportunities). If a year in, you cant stand your analyst class, reach out to a few other firms. 

Yes you are right, you wont work with these guys and girls on a day to day basis, but it does really suck if they are insufferable. It doesn't matter if they don't share your interests, but if they genuinely laugh when others make a mistake, that's a huge red flag. Only seriously self conscious losers do that shit. You're working your first full time job, so everyone will make plenty of mistakes. 

Others are downplaying the significance of a brutal analyst class for some reason, but I disagree. Read all the posts on this site from the veterans. Those who actually liked IB miss the nostalgia of being in the trenches with their analyst classes, who were much closer to their friends than whatever the fuck your Analyst class is comprised of. 

 

Spot on agree with this ^ .

I'm surprised by most of these comments. This actually isn't normal -- as you progress in your career, you'll find that most people are not only close to their analyst class for many years, they also have a certain nostalgia for the "good ol' days". I'll also add that it's laughable that any first-year analyst would make fun of each other's technical knowledge, given (i) nothing in IB is "technical" and (ii) none of you have any knowledge anyway. 

My suspicion is that everyone is intimidated and trying to make themselves feel better by putting down others. Not an uncommon response. You can do a lot to help set people at ease so they can be friends instead of competitors.    

 

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