Is the lifestyle worth it? Incoming Analyst

Context: Incoming analyst at a MM firm (New York)

Question: For those who worked as an analyst/associate, was the lifestyle truly worth it? As I near graduation I can't help but question if throwing away my 20s is worth it, essentially foregoing a relationship, nights out, etc. 

I obviously know not all firms are sweatshops, however, I've heard from current employees I'll likely be working pretty long hours (70-80). Just looking for some advice from those who have gone through related experiences or had similar thoughts. 

6 Comments
 

No lol. There comes a time when you look around at your peers who went down “less prestigious” paths as this forum would describe it that now out earn you on every level. And by that I mean comp, but also out earn you on freedom, WLB, hobbies, family time, etc. Had a senior say if you chose any career you had an actual hobby in and applied the same time commitment you did for IB for 2-3 years you could succeed too. All that to say the career comps you well which is amazing and opens doors, but man it comes with a price. Many buddies are now in tech/sales crushing it while getting off at 4pm to coach their kids youth team.

 

100% agreed. Not worth it. Plenty of ways to make decent money these days.

The detriment to physical and metal health as well as deterioration of friendships, hobbies etc are just simply not worth it…

 

If you have family money, no.  If you don't and sacrificing a few years of your 20s will set you up to provide for your wife and kids in a way you otherwise couldn't, yes. 

There's too much negativity on here from kids in their early 20s who are doing something truly difficult for the first time in their lives.  It's legitimately difficult and requires a lot of sacrifice, but in the grand scheme of things, it's a a couple years of your life, sets you up for a high quality career for the rest of your life, and compensates you extremely well.  

 

Voluptatem eum ut quibusdam nobis eos ducimus. Sit minus nesciunt sunt natus aperiam. Rem quas consequuntur aut quibusdam vel consequatur necessitatibus. Sed omnis assumenda voluptas eius cumque.

Iusto occaecati velit cupiditate iste perferendis. Asperiores necessitatibus qui qui enim impedit ducimus vel aut. Tempora eligendi impedit ea quisquam corrupti quae necessitatibus. Sint itaque commodi quis est et sed deleniti.

Veniam explicabo ipsam est ea placeat officiis. Saepe dicta nam maxime aspernatur odio. Alias distinctio doloribus repellat rem nobis. Id voluptatibus quia consectetur pariatur vel magnam nesciunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”