PLEASE HELP : Should I just quit ?

~11 months - developed crippling anxiety issues (started taking prescribed med).

I want to leave but just can't bring myself to do it - who else would pay a 23 year old so well ? 

What should I do ? Is it okay to just leave and NOT join another job immediately. I desperately need some time off. 

 

I am by far not a qualified neurological expert, nor do I know exactly what you are going through. But a few possible solutions for you to eliminate first:

1) Narrow down what is causing your anxiety, is it the content of the job (i.e. is there simply too much of it)? Is it your manager, is he/she/it/them/... giving you a hard time? Is it family? Is it a combination of all these things? Isolating not only the problem but also appreciating what is going well may help find your solution.

2) Is it work? Then, you will have to talk to your manager/ senior staff, ask for a solid 30minute call and let it out. whoever they are they have seen people come and go and may give you some insight.

3) Is it your manager? That sucks, I would know. That means talking to other person that you trust in the firm that would understand what you are going through, perhaps consider internal hire in a job less intense than the one you currently in and would enjoy.

4) Family and Friends? I don't have a solution for this, only you will know the real answer.

Good Luck! this year kicked off pretty bad for the world, but it also means we can always find a solution for it!

 

I'd imagine you're probably quite firm on your decision already based on your question.

Not like I have much experience - but if you are to ignore the preconceived stigma of having a gap in-between jobs (which is still true today) you should take the time to at least learn some shit through professionally certified courses. Get certified in something, I'm not so sure. But take the stress off your shoulders or you'll probably go insane, while still making yourself valuable. 

 

The standard advice is not to leave unless you feel you absolutely have to. You seem like you're just about at that point, and some time off / not working in IB will probably help you. With a year of IB under your belt you will be extremely attractive to lots of opportunities - with that said hiring and interviewing still takes time and I wouldn't quit thinking you'll have a new job in a month or two.

A few things to consider:

- do you have enough savings for what could potentially be a 6 month gap, or are your parents willing to help you out? obviously no one plans for it to be that long, but make sure you won't get yourself into a bigger problem if money is an issue

- how important is the pay to you? Have seen a lot of people take breaks and end up in corp fin, but obviously they won't pay you as well. Only IB and PE pay at the same level and those hours obviously suck

- have you considered asking your group for 30-60 days unpaid leave? if money is a problem could give you a break to chill out and start to recruit without being completely unemployed

Really though if some time off is what you need then just go ahead and quit

 

Did you just start on the meds? The drugs and working on the causes (silverchimp said it well) may buy you a few extra weeks to see if things are getting better. If you don't get better in a few weeks, or you start to feel worse, take a break if you can afford it. Also consider talking to EAP at your workplace.

 
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I am starting full-time in the summer but had a similar experience during my SA.

Did a MF SA Pulling 100-110 hour weeks. Thought I had found my dream firm but two weeks in I was terribly unhappy. Affected my relationships (GF, family, and friends). Like you I went on antidepressants which severely affected my stomach (vomiting/shitting non-stop) and basically made my appetite non-existent.

At the conclusion of the internship I had to take a long self reflective moment to think to myself is this where I want to work? Is this sustainable? Ultimately decided no, turned down the full-time offer and interned at a different firm during the school year. I am much happier now and off the meds. Excited to start full-time on what is objectively a step down prestige wise, but also leagues better for my mental health.

However cliche, the experience taught me your health both mental and physical outweighs any amount of prestige or compensation.

That’s just my 2 cents.

 

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