How did you know banking was for you?

I just recently hit the desk as an mba associate. I’ve always loved finance and was psyched to get this job but now I’m having second thoughts. It might be the fact that we’re work from home but I’m having a very hard time getting excited about the job. Im hoping these thoughts will go away but I’m curious how others feel. 
 

When did you start to enjoy it and decide you wanted to do it long-term? Any advise for how to get my head in the game?

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In my experience, I was similar to you in the first year. Was at an EB and had a lot of 90-100 hour weeks. I just set my expectations to "I'll work till midnight every night, even on weekends" and it really helped me get through it. I also went in thinking I'd just stay for 2 years and nothing more. After doing some soul searching, I moved back home in my second year to a respected regional boutique and that changed everything. Hours were much better, culture is fantastic, pay is slightly less, but that's fine. After working through my first deals there, I knew banking was for me. I enjoyed talking to clients and having them value my opinion, even as a CFO or CEO. I enjoy learning something new about the deals I'm on, or the broader industries our clients are a part of. My firm invests in employees, rather than just sending them to a PE after grinding them for 2 years. Highly recommend lateraling to a smaller bank that prioritizes WLB / culture.   

 

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