I have really bad career anxiety...

Career anxiety... am I the only one?

2020 grad from non target B.Sc Economics major. S&T full time trading mortgage, agency, cd, and anything taxable with munis mixed in here and there. I am on terminal providing liquidity with the desk in all scenarios.  My trading team deserves credit for allowing me the ability to grow as much as I have thus far. I am non-BB. I love my job but  I want to earn more money and feel I am grossly underpaid (sub 100k). 

 Am I in trouble regarding automation in the bond market? I've heard mortgage and loans trading/structuring is a great spot to be in, though I can't help but think that my career might be a bit shaky given the software development in the fixed income space.

Should I try to pivot to a levfin (IB) or structured product group at a larger bank?

Should I get my MBA and network my way into an M&A group?

Should I move to a larger bank where I experience primary desk underwriting of structured products?

Should I stay put and ask for a raise?

All of this is causing me extreme anxiety... more anxiety than being responsible for my own PnL. I come from a non wealthy family and, while I love the finance industry and following economics, deep down I really just want to make as money as I can for my family. 

Thank you in advanced

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

-Before you went to Uni, what did you want to do?

-How do you like to spend your free time?

-Do you see the industry differently now, as a practitioner, as opposed to your view when in school?

-Other than making a lot of money, what would your ideal position be in 3 years?

-Did you enjoy school? If so, what’s the chance you could get into a grad program that you would want and are willing to spend the time and resources on to complete?

-What kind of work would you do if the role paid your ideal salary?

-What are you stressed about that is either mostly or completely out of your control?

Think about this stuff. I hope your contemplation generates more constructive questions.

 

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