FAANG CS vs. IBD

What’s the best path for net worth +$50mm in 25 years?

Comp slightly better near term in finance track but CS is arguably more attractive long term and after taking into account work/life balance. Thoughts?

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It's a bit higher at Facebook and some other companies but who cares about year 1 comp. IB quickly overtakes FAANG comp most of the time and you are probably more likely to make MD in IB than to make it to L8+ in FAANG (going off % terms). These are the levels where you can make $1M+ and have a chance of a 8 figure net worth before 50. Of course, this is kind of useless to think about as it's unlikely that one has the skills to make both MD and L8. Your best bet is to go with the industry that you think you can excel the most in.

If you really want to make $50m+ in 25 years, neither FAANG nor IB alone will get you there. If you go the SWE route, you will need to eventually join a early-stage startup and get lucky. If you go the IB route, the startup/VC route is an option but you can also try your luck with HFs. Alternatively, you can just buy lottery tickets and save the effort.

 

Please do FAANG. If I can go back to my freshman year, I will change my major from Finance to CS

I'm not gonna bust your balls about the $50mm in 25 years like the other guys would but if that's your goal, you have a much higher chance at getting there by learning how to code and developing web/mobile apps than some hardo dweeb (like me) learning shortcuts on Excel and PowerPoint.

 

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