Quitting for stress?

For those who exited purely based on hours and WLB desire (i.e., hated the hours, wanted something more chill like corp dev), where are you now? What exit did you take, and was it worth it?

Context: Im currently an AN2 at a MM bank doing tech, and it’s going pretty well, but not a huge fan of senior management and tbh would hate to work 60+ hours a week for the rest of my life. I’ve put on weight and am stressed 24/7. I think deals are repetitive - the process is the same over and over, just different colors and logos - and it doesn’t interest me long term.

Would just love to hear about people who shared that mindset and to see if jumping ship was worth it.

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I may have one of the most non-traditional exits from banking. 

I was experiencing the same burnout you are now and exited for medical sales. 

I now work max 50 hours per week, travel consistently (which is fun to me) and am on track to make $275k this year. It's completely different and was able to make the switch cuz I had some connections, but infinitely more interesting than banking and am making more money than I did as an Analyst. 

Not sure if this helps you, but bottom line is: yes, jumping ship from the mundane life of banking was worth it. 

 

The medical space was always interesting to me and I actually worked on a med device deal while in banking which confirmed my interest. It's a people business that relies on your ability to build and maintain relationships which I naturally have a knack for. 

As mentioned, I had some existing connections in the space which was hugely helpful to get the initial conversations with hiring managers. It was just BBQ chicken from there. 

 

I am one of the top reps in my territory, so my total comp is certainly towards the higher end of the range for my position, but I'd say most reps crack $100k. Medical sales is very lucrative, you'd be surprised at what some of the more senior reps in the flagship product divisions make. 

 

After roughly two years, I left for a corp dev role because I was in a similar circumstance. I'm much less worried and the hours are much better now (typically between 40 and 50). Overall, I'm lot happier and have more time for life outside of work, though occasionally the work still feels a little repetitious in a different sense. Pay increases a little more slowly, but in my opinion, it was well worth it.

 

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