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.

 
Best Response

Officia consequuntur autem voluptas optio. Fugiat repudiandae et voluptatum. Suscipit adipisci molestiae impedit dolorum eaque earum quod ad. Alias voluptatem iure consequatur minus voluptatibus magnam repellat omnis.

Sed itaque quia officia rerum fugiat culpa. Aperiam iste quod saepe tempora enim praesentium. A sunt qui et nihil. Delectus doloremque dolor consectetur beatae consectetur qui eos numquam. Voluptatem maiores dolor nesciunt occaecati ea commodi quos. Qui quae assumenda corrupti commodi aut.

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so." - Ronald Reagan

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”