More-so directed to those further down in their career who can reflect on their experiences as an analyst. I'm sure that over the years, your perspectives have changed and what was worthwhile may not be the case anymore.
Given the chance w/ the assumption that you were a jr in college again, would you choose a different path?
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An important question. Would love to see some answers to this.
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Grind was absolutely worth it. I enjoy my life and my job, and working my ass of as analyst and associate was the price of entry. That said, never forget that there are things you can do in your 20s that you can't do in your 30s. I should have taken a year off and gone backpacking around Africa, etc. I always kept putting it off, and now I'm 35, married with kids and strongly prefer the Four Seasons to a backpacker's hostel.
The grind was worth it. I was a work hard/party hard guy in my 20s, so I struggle to think of any missed experiences that I regret.
The grind was enjoyable in many ways, gave me great work experiences, gave me the money to access great non-work experiences and positioned me well for the great time that was my (unfortunately almost over) 30s.
If I was only going through the grind for the money and hope of happiness and sweetness and a nice wife and two kids some time later in life, then no, it would not have been worth it.
I think your answers are going to see a ton of selection bias here - those that hated banking and never want to hear about finance again (or alternatively, are still in finance but unhappy) are unlikely to be browsing WSO.
Definitely worth it. Even if you don't stay in finance, entrepreneurs that I'm friends with will point to their banking experience as a platform that taught them time management and valuable technical skills. Most jobs are considered a vacation after you've done 100 hours a week.
Regarding the post above mine, I think most bankers who didn't suck are still happy with their career choice. The selection bias you mention isn't mirrored in message boards exclusively for lawyers and doctors are all telling people that it's not worth it. Seems like a majority of them complain constantly about their careers and regret it (less so for doctors than lawyers though).
DP.
As mentioned above, there's going to be a big selection bias here, but it was absolutely worth it for me. Beyond the obvious benefits of decent money, the ability to travel and live abroad, eat and drink well, etc, I love doing deals. I know many people who work at and/or own operating companies, and a lot of them, especially the owners, make more money or have a much higher net worth than most people in finance but I don't know if I could, or would want to, go into an office everyday in suburban America where my main goal was to sell more widgets or increase margins by 50 bps. That works for some people and it's not a critique, but this business draws a different type of person. Every deal is different and presents its own challenges and the ability to learn something new.
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