Disliking SF as a 1st year IB Analyst - Advice on how to get to NYC?
Hi all - Recently started my first year in IB in SF a couple months ago and have really had a hard time being here. All of my college friends are in NYC, I loved my training in NYC, and overall just feel so lonely and isolated here. I was out here last summer as well for a few months for an internship and also didn’t like it then but was unable to land anything in NYC due to the awful hiring market. The city itself is ok and has the nature aspect, but it is so quiet and is not my vibe. I live in North Beach and try to put myself ou as much as I can but I can’t help constantly wanting to leave and counting down the days until I can realistically start to do that.
Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this? Or is anyone else in the same boat?
Any advice on a realistic timeline for recruiting as a lateral? I don’t think it’s likely that I stay within my firm as they don’t really allow transfer until a couple years in.
Thanks for insights
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and advice for your situation:
Dealing with Disliking SF and Transitioning to NYC
Networking and Headhunters:
Recruiting Timeline:
Maximizing Your Current Role:
Alternative Paths:
Personal Well-being:
Summary
By following these steps, you can strategically position yourself for a successful transition to NYC.
Sources: PE Lateral Recruiting Advice/Stories/Help?, Lateraling Guide for Investment Banking, Lateraling Guide for Investment Banking, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/going-from-mm-investment-bank-to-mega-fund?customgpt=1, Currently an Incoming Senior.... When should I start recruiting to lateral for FT 2021?
lateral once you hit 1 year mark. why dont you like sf? is it primarily because you dont have college friends there? or is it the type of people there
First year in sf as well. Dm if you’re looking to make friends out here
I live in SF and recognize it’s not super fun.
That being said there are lots of worse places you could start your career. I think you should do your best to have fun, and then try to transfer internally at the 1-2 year mark
New York can be tough in its own regard. The analyst hours are certainly harder. I’m not sure it isn’t advisable to get some analyst time done in a more chill setting and then transfer later anyways
IB is by and large a game of survival
You’re right, it’s all about perspective and I realize I am being a a very glass half empty person rn. Thanks for the insight
Seems like some of your frustration with SF may also be due to FOMO, which is totally understandable. While not in SF, I’m a 2nd year analyst in a T3 city with most of my friends in either Chicago or NYC and I had major FOMO especially early on so I hear you. I originally was super frustrated not being in NYC and also thought about lateraling but have since come to enjoy and appreciate my city way more and will be transferring internally to NYC after my 2nd year.
It’s important to remember that SF is not NYC both good and bad. Though not in SF, I was able to play golf almost every weekend in my city and like the other poster said have had a better analyst experience than friends at other banks in other cities. In short, try and be where your feet are and SF it a shot before making up your mind early on that you don’t like it
Hey man thanks a lot for this response, it was super helpful and I’ll try to work on being more present
I'd say that at the least you have a good "why" story for a lateral hire. I'd recommend taking an extra day off around a 3 day weekend and spend some time networking in NYC. Simply say that while you are enjoying banking, you've realized after some time in SF that NY is a better fit for you culturally and come up with a few reasons behind it. I knew a bunch of people who started in SF and then did their 3rd year in NY. It sounds like that may be more difficult these days, but it was not a problem back in the day as almost no one stayed for 3rd years due to their own options or the firm's. Most analysts didn't even make it 2 years due to PE recruiting cycles back then which sound even worse now.
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