Do you like what you do?

I'm going into an undergraduate business program this September, and have been reading WSO for the past few months now (yes, what a keener) to get an idea of what the environment is like.

There's been many stories about analysts being abused, working 120+ hours, and enduring the job for the money. My question is if you had to do it all over again, would you still go into IB or PE or any finance job in general? I'm just going into university this year, so I can still change my major with relative ease. Should I "get out now, while I can", or is the monetary gain enough to make this path bearable?

7 Comments
 

You'll absolutely hate your life while going through it, but once on the other side, you'll be more than glad you did. Banking is a two year commitment to positioning yourself for career success, not just in finance, but business in general. If you can bare it for two years, I would recommend it.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

I obviously understand that I should go and enjoy myself (and looking at the type of advice given I think I'm the right field), but is there a life outside of banking? Basically what I'm asking is if you can have any kind of life outside of banking, or if the 100+ hours a week take over your life and ruin your relationships, friendships, and marriages. Maybe I'm misinformed and the insane hours are only for the first two years, and then you can ease up?

 

In the heat of the moment...I absolutely hate it. The hope is that when I'm done and out, I'll look back and tell myself it was worth it.

 
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