Hello - Target double major and minor with a 3.7 GPA

Hey guys,

Background: I go to a target (double major and minor), have a 3.7, and landed a job at a mid-tier BB. Here's the problem: I didn't do shit in college. Literally.. nothing. I've spent the majority of my last four years either high, drunk, having sex, some combination of the previous three or other things which are equally unproductive and wasteful. I go to less class than anyone I know. By far. I did study at times, but, in comparison to my peers, very rarely. I got by because I happen to work (and think) extremely quickly, not because I'm Einstein who cradles some otherworldly intelligence. I am also the most competitive person that I have ever met. Now, none of the above was aimed at being self-lauding; it was simply meant to be an apt description of my past 4 years in order to elucidate relevant background information.

In six weeks I start banking. I feel as though I'm a prime candidate to burn out. Eight months ago I chose IBD over other job opps because I'm not a pussy; I felt as though I can always transition backward but rarely forward. Plus, who would I be if turned down the toughest job I landed? (hint: kind of a bitch). Now, part of me is already regretting not taking the same base, 20-30% of the bonus at a job offering better life balance.

I currently love my life. I also currently dread what it will turn into six months from now.

I've posted the above for two reasons. First, I wanted to give back to the forum. I feel as though I'm different than the majority of the monkeys out there (at least those who post here often), and, as I found so much on this board to be helpful (long time lurker), wanted to chronicle my first year in banking to illuminate a different angle for others to read. To that end, that perspective may very well be from someone who is not cut out of banking but got involved unfortunately anyway. I'll try to post updates intermittently, for those who are interested.

Second, for those of you already working (analysts in particular), does WSO provide an accurate sample size of the types who you work with? Or are there still some less serious people left in the industry? Or, do all the non-workaholics burn out quickly? Interested in hearing stories.

Re-reading this, this all sounds a bit narcissistic. Oh well, sorry.

Edit: I did not mean to insinuate that I'd be able to skate by IBD without working hard (in regards to the WSO sample size...) I meant, is there any semblance of the work hard/play hard culture that once dominated the industry?

6 Comments
 

yeah, when i first read your post, you sounded like a complete douchebag, but re-reading, it's understandable. some people are just more efficient than others and you are telling it like it is.

let me know how it goes. sounds interesting.

 

Sounds a little bit like me. I've been worried as well about getting smacked in the face in my internship this summer. I also agree it comes off kinda douchey to chronicle your four years like that, true or not but keep us posted.

 

I was a bum in a target university too. Very smart compared to the average man my age but without the work ethic of the average target school student. Just about everyone on wall street is smart. There are no low-average people in a BB's important divisions. What differentiates people is work ethic. Now- did I change? Enough to keep my job, but barring luck/politics I'm probably never going to be a rainmaker or get promoted to senior management. I don't say that disparagingly, I'm still happy with my life and enjoy my career. Of course there are some divisions/groups that are known for "hiding" underperformers and others that are more prone to laying-off the chaff.

 

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