I Think I Am Regretting Leaving "High-Finance" Track, Accepted "Dream" Corporate Role , But All Has Been Perfect, Thoughts?
Hi all, I guess this is some typical "grass is always greener" and I should be more appreciative of my situation, but wanted to collect some thoughts, if anyone has been in the same situation / had similar sentiments. Overall, just want some input and discussion.
I did 2 years IB in coverage at a really sweaty firm in NYC. I practically worked all day Saturday and Sunday for 2 years straight. I did not have time at all to prep for PE interviews. To get some light at the end of the tunnel, I just accepted the first exit offer I received. It was a strategic finance role at a $10bn unicorn.
I say the role is a "Dream" role for many for an IB exit because I work 10AM-5pm, log off at 1pm on Fridays, 0 weekend work at all, make $180k, work directly with CFO and CEO, work is easy, deadlines are super relaxed, no fire drills at all, all meals and ubers comped, etc.
However, part of for whatever reason is regretting not continuing the "high-finance" route and into PE / HF. I for some reason feel like I am missing so much even though I have friends in PE circle say they would kill for a job like mine. I guess I feel super weird that if I ever wanted to go to the buyside, that door is now closed forever (?). Am I missing a lot? Is it true that only a very very select people get promoted to VP / Principal and actually make carry? If helpful, my dream job long-term and down the line is VC. If anyone has any thoughts regarding my situation, much appreciated.
You're missing a ton, trade jobs with me and get back in the game.
why do you think the door is closed forever?
From what I have seen PE is pretty had to get into in that they 90% of time only accept 2 years IB > straight to PE. My profile might seem weird that I did IB then took a "break" from high finance did corp dev / m&a strategy then try to get back into PE years later. My point is their hiring is usually very cookie cutter profile. Understand this applies to top firms but I would be fine with super LMM too.
Get a hobby and a girlfriend. Problem solved
I know this is a joke but it's not far from the truth. OP - you have all this extra time now, do you do anything with it? Are you making up for all the "lost" time with friends and family? Are you doing any of the things you probably daydreamed of doing while you were in the office on Friday night?
If the answer was yes I don't think you would have made this thread because you'd be out living your life, having a nice work/life balance, etc.
"Strategic finance" jobs are extremely hit or miss. Some you actually get to do more strategic thinking and have good access to /influence on leadership, etc. and some are just glorified FP&A roles (and you may have good access to leadership but not in the same 'key player' way).
Think critically about how you want to spend your time - you'll find as you get older the friends and family you want to spend more time with are busy with their own lives or have the same pockets of availability you had at your previous job anyway (very common if your circle is like-minded folks). It can be great to have extra hours but you need to capitalize on it instead of doom scrolling social media, sleeping in, etc. - that gets boring after a while and will take a toll on the mind of someone who knows deep down they are actually more ambitious then this.
I'd say if you are serious about PE/HF you should try to make a move ASAP because the farther away you get from the path the harder it is, that is 100% true (at least for more structured, name-brand places). You could always go back to a more chill role you have now, those opportunities will pretty much always be there for someone of your background. That said think about what your "dream" job truly is and what that would look like - mind you, this will change constantly and will look at a lot different in 5 years most likely then it does now.
Can you explain how to delineate which strategic finance jobs are a hit vs miss?
Best advice in your situation is to try for your old group that might take you back or get bitches.
What's the new role you're doing?
You are getting comfortable in your current role. With the minimal work, it makes the decently good pay seem way more than it actually is because you factored in all the free time also. You are quite chill in the role and are probably settling down from all the grind. You feel missed out because others are grinding and think maybe you should too. IMO, don't you are in a good very spot, you just need to capitalize on something to do in your free time to keep your mind busy when down time occurs. You can of course make 200k+in another role but you be in a grinding role. If you weigh out time to pay ratio, you be at a loss in the end. TLDR your 180k now feels like 200k since you have so much free time.
Been here. A job which is all comfort and security is truly no fun, particularly if you're driven and hard-working. This is what the monkeys on WSO desperate for WLB don't get.
Life is suffering and sacrifice. Few people are happy without challenge - it's why Musk is putting himself through hell every day and Bezos is sending rockets to space.
Recommendation would probably be to try and get back into high finance, or unleash this urge for challenge by pursuing intense and difficult hobbies.
Ullam fuga quis quia doloribus. Voluptatem quae rerum eum iure nostrum magnam voluptatum. Et est iusto error dolores dolorum dolorum tempora error. Qui autem numquam et tempore temporibus. Qui error est in. Omnis blanditiis saepe sed totam natus ut est.
Dolore tempora aperiam consectetur impedit illum qui beatae. Quisquam ut dolores quis ex. Voluptatibus qui qui expedita. Quo itaque ab nostrum enim in consequuntur.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...