Lost all ambition / don’t care at all anymore
Current 2nd year analyst at a MM shop. As the title reads, I’ve legit lost all my ambition and desire to work. I was so motivated and disciplined in college, and at the start of doing this job. But I honestly have no care in the world, absolutely hate doing any work, and don’t care for staying / exiting to PE. Oddly, I was so passionate by finance and markets before starting and I’ve really lost it all.
I know this sounds like typical burnout, so does anyone have recs or advice on how to navigate future? I’m scared of just throwing my career away to some shit corp job that will pay me half of what I’m earning now.
I don’t understand why you feel relegated to “some shit corp job” just because you don’t like investment banking. In college, one of my professors brought in this guy who seemed destined for a long career in finance (Ivy League football team -> Lehman brothers in the mid 90s). He said that he could not tolerate IB after three years and decided to embark on a career in sports. Long story short, guy has done exceptionally well for himself and walked us through a truly interesting career. There is no reason this can’t be you; however, it is incumbent on you to take a leap of faith.
Your advice to this guy is to become a pro athlete?
He initially got a job at an NFL team and moved up the ranks.
i can't tell if you genuinely struggle with analogies or are just a reflexive defeatist with no hope
I’m in exactly the same position, and it makes it hard to think about what to do next because it feels like literally everybody around me is obsessed about IB / finance
Im in a similar boat, and tbh im going to stay on the track until at least a year of PE.
With that said, its a type of person that gets into the IB/PE seat, and if you find something that you are genuinely passionate about, the work ethic will carry forward and no doubt u will be successful (and money will come etc)
I’m in the exact same boat. 1st year Aso. Considering quitting and getting an MBA to get my head straight as it’s hard to even think about what I want when I’m working this many hours. But the application deadlines are approaching and I’d have to take the GMAT and everything. So idk man.
Not to derail this thread but as someone who just got their MBA, in the age of AI its sort of a myth that going to get your MBA will help you pivot careers/industries unless you're coming from mid/back-office breaking into consulting/banking.
Coming from IB unless you have a certain industry or a really specific role it probably won't pan out and honestly the whole MBA proposition is declining. Most roles you want will be a heavy pay cut (think $150k-200k all-in with some equity upside...that may never hit), probably won't be competitive for PE/HF given plethora of PE backgrounds. Many in your background end up in some sort of chief of staff series A startup (which is BS half the time) but with a banking background and some networking, you can end up there foregoing the MBA.
If you want to de-stress and enjoy your 20s I'd say go for it but would rather recommend you hit 'cruise mode' (be mid-bucket) at your current job and line up your next job instead of an MBA
Thoughts on quitting and taking 6-12 months off to travel, have fun and get mind right (assuming personal finances are in check)? Assuming analyst/assoicate?
Sure why not, life is too short.
However, the job market is getting ever more competitive and uncertain (once again, due to AI). There are many individuals in your shoes that thought about taking a break for 2-3 months but are now 1+ year and still unemployed.
Additionally, in my personal experience for vast majority that do an extended travel aside it seems pretty over-rated. There is a reason why people love traveling - because its not easily accessible and you get to do it once maybe twice a year. Once you get a 6-12 months to travel, while much better than working, that too becomes pretty mundane, just how the human psyche works.
So with all the above, I'd personally recommend you line up a new job (while employed), do your best to get a long-garden leave or delayed start date (ideally 2-3 months after your end date); during that time go travel for 2-3 weeks, catch up with friends/family for 2-3 weeks and then spend 2 weeks to settle back in will be much better for you and get you at the same place (+ your wallet will thank you)
was in same spot. recruited hard but find a random corp job that wasn't dog shit - my hours went down and my pay went up overall win win
Pay went up? What comp did you get on your exit?
was making $285k as IB associate 1 and my exit all in first year was $310k. got lucky. had to search for a while and came across so many 120-160k all in. Also my hours are like 9AM-9Pm so pretty bad still in my corporate role but obviously pay is awesome.
While I was in IB i hated my life and told myself once I get to the buyside everything will be right in the universe. Have now been in public equities for 6yrs across a L/S then LO platform and have hated every second if it lol.
No useful info other than go take that leap of faith as others have suggested before you get pot committed to a certain career based on having a wife and kids and every expense that tags along.
hated being a public equities investor (at a LO)... interviewed at the pods and knew i'd hate it too... actually ended up in fundraising given i much rather be in a client facing role/am quite sociable
Hi - I would love to ask for advice from someone in your shoes. Can I PM?
Hi - I would love to ask for advice from someone in your shoes. Can I PM?
Have some questions, dm?
Sounds like you do care a little bit - that's good, it is gonna turn out ok, don't worry!
tech
Wait what, no way?!? Who could’ve seen this coming.
You made your bed, now lie in it.
I wouldn’t want you at my EBB (Elite Bulge Bracket) anyways.
Many folks who enter Investment Banking grow disenchanted and disillusioned with the prospects of the career and lifestyle is culativates. From the sound of it, this isn't really burnout, but rather just disinterest in the field.
The first thing to remember: your career is looong. You've just started and a career is anything but linear. You may hop around different industries, and different functions, step back to tend to a relative or spouse, you may even pursue or stumble across work you'd never thought of before. With that said, take a breath and don't feel all too consumed to make a decision on your career just now.
The second thing, there are an infinite number of possible jobs you can consider and many, many of them, can be far more fulfilling than investment banking. As a few examples, strategic finance or chief of staff in small/medium sized companies, corporate development or corporate strategy in a space or company you genuinely want to work at, joining the VC and investing or looking into NextGen companies, taking on strategy consulting to try out different functions, joining a startup as their ~5-10th employee as a founding member, or many, many, other routes across the field. Hell, I know a friend who did Investment Banking to Financial Technology Product Manager. Also, the universe of work is bigger than High Finance, you may enjoy teaching at a University or trying something off the beaten path.
The third, learn to let go of your ego and identify a bit less with where you work. I know that's easier said than done, but just as there's more work than High Finance, there's more to life than the firm and work. Taking on hobbies like running, hiking, playing boardgames, reading, dancing, trying out new cusiine, travelling, learning a sport (tennis, basketball, martial arts), exploring night life (comedy show, concerts, sports games) and properly unplugging can help give perspective of what you really want out of life.
All this to say, look inward, breathe, reflect. The work will always be there for those who want to work.
Welcome to UBS!
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